Top 5 books on anxiety from Indian authors
Chaithra MJ
Chaithra is a freelance content writer with a love for existentialism. She is passionate about...
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Madan Thapa
Madan S Thapa is a healthcare consultant and also a seasoned pharma editor, with over 10+ years...
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Understanding anxiety can be a complex journey. Yet, it’s a journey that is deeply personal, yet universally human.
And literature can be a powerful tool on this journey, offering insights and solace. Here is a curated list of the top 5 books on anxiety by Indian authors that our team personally loved reading or are high on our TBR list.
We also picked these books for their in-depth exploration of anxiety and related issues. They offer practical coping strategies and we think that both mental health professionals and individuals will find them useful.
1. Anxiety: Overcome it and live without fear by Sonali Gupta
Anxiety: Overcome It and Live Without Fear by Sonali Gupta is a comprehensive guide that dives into the complex and often misunderstood realm of anxiety. Gupta draws from her extensive experience as a clinical psychologist to offer both a professional and empathetic approach to managing anxiety in everyday life.
She highlights the cultural stigmas around mental health and the importance of normalizing conversations about anxiety. Additionally, she emphasizes the value of emotional literacy, helping readers identify their anxiety triggers and responses more effectively. It also serves as a practical resource for anyone looking to support loved ones going through this challenge.
Gupta’s approach is grounded in her professional background, making the book both a source of personal comfort and a guide with steps that can be integrated into daily life to overcome anxiety. She is both compassionate and realistic, focusing on how individuals can cultivate emotional resilience.
2. Age of anxiety: How to cope by Amrita Tripathi
Age of Anxiety: How to Cope by Amrita Tripathi offers an insightful look into the growing issue of anxiety in modern society and captures the urgency of addressing mental health struggles.
Tripathi’s book serves as both a personal exploration of anxiety and a broader guide for those who struggle with it. Through expert interviews, personal stories, and case studies, she provides practical advice for navigating anxiety for both individuals struggling and those supporting them.
Tripathi seamlessly combines her background in journalism with her passion for mental health advocacy, delivering a book that highlights the impact of societal pressures, technology, and lifestyle choices on anxiety. She encourages open conversations about anxiety and advocates for increased awareness and support.
The book also introduces readers to coping mechanisms like mindfulness, therapy, and lifestyle changes that can alleviate anxiety. The interviews with mental health professionals and personal accounts highlight the importance of finding individualized coping strategies that work for each person.
3. Cry, the peacock by Anita Desai
Cry, the Peacock is Anita Desai’s debut novel, and a powerful psychological exploration of the inner turmoil of its protagonist, Maya, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage and haunted by a prophecy of death that consumes her. Desai explores Maya’s inner life with vivid imagery and symbolism, particularly through the motif of the peacock, a bird that cries before it dies, mirroring Maya’s own emotional state. The book delves into themes of loneliness, mental illness, and existential dread, capturing the fragile emotional world of a woman struggling to cope with her fragmented reality.
Desai’s novel, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award, is often described as a poignant reflection of human alienation, especially within the confines of traditional Indian society. The writing blends an intense focus on the inner world of her characters with the broader socio-cultural backdrop and her portrayal of Maya is marked by a deep empathy, revealing the often invisible struggles of women facing societal pressures and emotional repression. The novel also reflects on the broader theme of existentialism, as Maya grapples with her place in the world and the meaning of her existence.
4. The D word: A survivor’s guide to depression by Shubhrata Prakash
The D Word: A Survivor’s Guide to Depression by Shubhrata Prakash, herself a survivor of depression and anxiety, is a powerful narrative about the author’s personal journey with depression and anxiety.
The book reflects Prakash’s personal experiences and insights and it also acts as a guide to managing anxiety and depression. It offers practical advice and coping strategies, empowering readers to take control of their mental health. The book also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the therapeutic value of storytelling in dealing with anxiety and depression.
5. Dear stranger, I know how you feel by Ashish Bagrecha
Dear Stranger, I Know How You Feel by author and poet Ashish Bagrecha is a heartfelt collection of letters and poems offering solace and hope to those grappling with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and sadness.
Bagrecha’s book is a blend of poetry and prose, designed to uplift and remind readers that they are not alone in their struggles. His empathetic tone and personal reflections create a deep connection with the audience, especially those seeking comfort and healing.
Bagrecha has dealt with personal battles with mental health, which informs the empathetic and genuine tone of his writing. As someone who has emerged from a dark phase in life, his words offer encouragement to others on similar journeys.
Each chapter addresses different emotional struggles, from heartbreak and anxiety to self-doubt and loneliness. Bagrecha gently guides the reader through the process of acknowledging pain, finding inner strength, and gradually moving toward a place of peace and self-love, which is a recurring theme in the book. He also encourages readers to embrace their vulnerabilities, emphasizing that it’s okay to not be okay.
This list of books is not extensive. There are many more novels and memoirs and guides that offer a unique perspective on anxiety, reflecting the cultural nuances and lived experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds. W hope you derive the same comfort as we did from reading and talking about the books in the list, and that it inspires you to seek out more.
Images credit: Goodreads
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