This is an excerpt from my upcoming book, We Get Better: 48 Treatment Options for Chronic Depression.

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Treatment option 1: Making your decision to get better

Ancient hunters, it is said, didn’t always run to catch their prey. Often, they walked over long distances using a technique called “persistence hunting.” Humans weren’t the fastest or the strongest animal in the wild, but our stamina made up for that shortcoming. In the immortal words of the long-running show Survivor, we were able to “outwit, outplay, outlast.”

The people who successfully manage or overcome their depression are those that have the qualities of a survivor: persistence, determination and grit. They use these qualities to pursue relevant knowledge and take action in spite of any internal resistance that might be present.

They do what it takes to survive.

For many of us, maintaining our mental health is a lifelong project that encompasses almost every area of our lives. Before exploring available treatment options, then, take some time to consider whether or not you are fully ready for this commitment.

Ask yourself this question: Am I willing to do whatever it takes to manage my depression in a healthy way? This could include introspection and honesty, putting aside old habits, forming new habits, consistently working toward goals, questioning long-held unhelpful beliefs and much more. 

Take as long as needed with this task: minutes, hours, days, weeks or even longer. Only you know what you are able to commit to and when.

If you have depression, helpful resources abound. I can’t recommend a mood- and life-improvement strategy more highly than reading excellent books on the various facets of depression and the many treatment options that exist to address them. Especially these.

My top picks are the first three on the list: The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon; This Is How: Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More, for Young and Old Alike by Augusten Burroughs; and Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope by Johann Hari. The Noonday Demon covers many of the heavy hitters of depression treatment: medication, exercise, hypnosis, cranial stimulation and more, in surprising detail. This Is How is written by a hilarious serial memoirist and has a great, no-excuses message, and Lost Connections is, I think, a literary feat as well as a self-help one, devoting one chapter each to the types of connections we need to rediscover if we want to successfully manage depression.

Books on Multiple Treatment Options for Depression

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon (This is one of my favorite books on depression, as it covers many of the heavy hitters: medication, exercise, hypnosis, cranial stimulation and more.)
This Is How: Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More, for Young and Old Alike, Augusten Burroughs (Burroughs is a great writer and a no-excuses kind of guy. The book covers a lot of ground and is pretty funny, too.)
Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope, Johann Hari (With this book, Hari has accomplished a literary feat, devoting one chapter each to the types of connections we need to rediscover if we want to successfully manage depression.)
Depression is Contagious: How the Most Common Mood Disorder Is Spreading Around the World and How to Stop It, Michael Yapko
The Hilarious World of Depression, John Moe
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs, Stephen S. Ilardi
How to Be Happy (Or at Least Less Sad): A Creative Workbook, Lee Crutchley and Oliver Burkeman
Depression Survival Guide: Your Path To A Joy-Filled Life, Debbie Brady
The No-Bullshit Guide to Depression, Steven Skoczen

Books on Cognitive Therapy for Depression

When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life, David Burns
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, David Burns
The Feeling Good Handbook, David Burns
Mind Over Mood, Second Edition: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think, Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, and Worry, Seth J. Gillihan
The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time, Alex Korb and Daniel Siegel
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, Martin Seligman
Who Would You Be Without Your Story?: Dialogues with Byron Katie and other books by Byron Katie, Byron Katie

Books on Exercise for Depression

Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being by Michael Otto and Jasper A.J. Smits
Manage Your Depression Through through Exercise: A 5-Week Plan to a Happier, Healthier, You by Jane Baxter

Books on Improving Relationships

For Better: How the Surprising Science of Happy Couples Can Help Your Marriage Succeed, Tara Parker-Pope
The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference, Shaunti Feldhahn
Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner’s Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship, Stan Tatkin
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find – and Keep – Love, Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, John Gottman
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself, Melody Beattie
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life, Emily Nagoski
His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage, Willard F. Harley, Jr.
How to Break Your Addiction to a Person: When–and Why–Love Doesn’t Work, Howard Halpern
Love Is Never Enough: How Couples Can Overcome Misunderstanding, Aaron Beck
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Sue Johnson
Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships, Sue Johnson
Mating in Captivity: Sex, Lies and Domestic Bliss, Esther Perell
Neale Donald Walsch on Relationships, Neale Donald Walsch
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Books on Increasing Vocational Fulfillment

Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being, Martin Seligman
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Mihaly Csikszentmivaly
The Inner Game of Work: Focus, Learning, Pleasure, and Mobility in the Workplace, W. Timothy Gallwey

Books on Meditation and Mindfulness

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, Eckhart Tolle
A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle
Meditation Without Gurus, Clark Strand
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, Pema Chodron
The Wisdom of No Escape And the Path of Loving-Kindness, Pema Chodron
Ten Percent Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story, Dan Harris
The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation, Thich Nhat Hanh
Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, Thich Nhat Hanh
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness, Jon Kabat-Zinn
Meditation: How to Reduce Stress, Get Healthy, and Find Your Happiness in Just 15 Minutes a Day, Rachel Rofe
Dying to Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing, Anita Moorjani
Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation—A 28-day Program, Sharon Salzberg
Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, Sharon Salzberg
The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being, Daniel Siegel

Books on Acceptance

Radical Acceptance: Living Life with the Heart of a Buddha, Tara Brach
Self-compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Kirstin Neff
The Art of Fear: Why Conquering Fear Won’t Work and What to Do Instead, Kristen Ulmer
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, Mark Manson

Books on Trauma and Depression

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, Bessel van der Kolk
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma, Stephanie Foo

Books on Habit Formation and Motivation

The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home, Dan Ariely
What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite, David DiSalvo
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, Charles Duhigg
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, Daniel Pink
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, Joe Dispenza
Everything You Need to Know to Feel Go(o)d, Candace Pert
Molecules of Emotion: Why You Feel the Way You Feel, Candace Pert

Books on Positive Psychology

The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy–and What We Can Do to Get Happier, Stefan Klein
The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want, Sonja Lyubomirsky
Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile, Daniel Nettle
Happiness: Lessons from a New Science, Richard Layard
Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth, Ed Diener & Robert Biswas-Diener
The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything, Neil Pasricha
Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment, Martin Seligman
Engineering Happiness: A New Approach for Building a Joyful Life, Manel Baucells and Rakesh Sarin
The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life, Shawn Achor

Other Helpful Books

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan
Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca by Dr. Richard Louis Miller
Man’s Search for Ultimate Meaning, Viktor Frankl
You Need Help!: A Step-by-Step Plan to Convince a Loved One to Get Counseling, Mark S Komrad