Further reading suggestions
📚 Popular Science Books on Mental Illness & the Brain
General Mental Health & Neuroscience
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Sacks
A fascinating collection of neurological case studies, exploring disorders of perception and identity.
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness – Kay Redfield Jamison
A deeply personal and scientific exploration of bipolar disorder by a clinical psychologist who has the condition herself.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Hallucinations – Oliver Sacks
An exploration of the phenomenon of hallucinations, from medical conditions to drug-induced experiences.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
The Disordered Mind: What Unusual Brains Tell Us About Ourselves – Eric Kandel
A deep dive into neurological and psychiatric disorders, blending neuroscience, psychology, and personal stories.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery – Sam Kean
A historical look at how brain injuries have helped scientists uncover the mysteries of the mind.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
How Not to Study a Disease: The Story of Alzheimer’s – Karl Herrup
A critique of the scientific approach to Alzheimer’s disease and a call for new ways of thinking about neurodegenerative conditions.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
How We Remember: The Science of Memory and How It Shapes Us – Charan Ranganath
A recent exploration of how memory works and why it is so essential to shaping our sense of self and reality.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Descartes’ Error – Antonio Damasio
Schizophrenia & Psychosis
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family – Robert Kolker
A deeply reported story of a family with multiple siblings diagnosed with schizophrenia, shedding light on genetics and psychiatric history.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Trauma & Mental Health
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma – Bessel van der Kolk
A foundational book on trauma, exploring how PTSD reshapes the brain and how treatments like EMDR, yoga, and neurofeedback can help.
Strangers to Ourselves: Unsettled Minds and the Stories That Make Us – Rachel Aviv
A beautifully written exploration of how different cultures and individuals experience and explain mental illness.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Brain Health, Sleep, and Nutrition
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams – Matthew Walker
An exploration of how sleep affects mental and physical health, and why it’s crucial for cognitive function.
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power – Lisa Mosconi
Examines how diet influences brain health, cognitive performance, and mental well-being.