Best Books for Anxiety and Overthinking
Written by
Victoria S., Сertified Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist
Published on 12 Jan, 2026
•3 min read
Sometimes what helps us most when we're feeling anxious isn't a vast transformation; sometimes it's just a book. One person might be looking for self-help reads to find actionable advice on how to manage symptoms of their anxiety and improve their physical health. Another person needs to reassure themselves and find healing.
If you're unsure about your reading type or which book is best for you, we'll explore that today. We will cover books that help you understand anxiety and overthinking, explore various categories, and explain how to incorporate these books as a tool to cultivate inner peace.
Key Learnings:
- Books for anxiety differ in their focus and approach, and each person decides what they need.
- Books become most helpful when you integrate their strategies into daily life, reflect on the meaning behind the stories, and pair them with practices like mindfulness or journaling.
- Books can deepen self-awareness and reduce overthinking, but persistent anxiety may require guidance from a therapist who can tailor strategies to your experiences.
The Best Books for an Anxious Brain
Here’s a list of books for your mental health, from scientific research to calming works of art, to create a sense of inner peace.
Books About Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks
If you want to find out more about anxiety disorders and panic disorders, these books can give you a better understanding of your mental health in an easy and manageable manner.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne
Written by a clinical psychologist and an expert in the field, this book is a classic for a reason. If you’re looking for a collection of practical strategies on how to manage symptoms of your anxiety or phobias, this one is a good option.
Amazon rating: 4.6
The Chemistry of Calm by Henry Emmons
This book is for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of how their mind works and blend this knowledge with mindfulness and proactive self-management. Dr Emmons describes how anxiety interacts with the brain and nervous system, explaining why certain exercises make sense for people with anxiety, what overthinking is, and how we cope with stress.
Amazon rating: 4.6
Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Catherine Pittman & Elizabeth Karle
Our anxiety and overthinking are products of neurological processes in our brains. Clinical psychologist Catherine Pittman and skilled writer Elizabeth Karle provide a comprehensive overview of how our emotions are formed and why we overthink from a neuroscience perspective.
Amazon rating: 4.6
Panic Attacks Workbook by David Carbonell
This book examines the nature of panic attacks and offers guidance on managing them. Using evidence-based CBT practices, from breathing and grounding to desensitization, a licensed psychologist explains how panic attacks work and what exercises can be helpful to stop the cycle.
Amazon rating: 4.6
Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts by David A. Clark
If you're the type of person who struggles with intrusive thoughts, clinical psychologist David A. Clark proposes strategies that can help you deal with rumination. This book is designed for individuals seeking to learn about coping with overthinking.
Amazon rating: 4.4
The Assertiveness Workbook by Randy J. Paterson
A lot of our anxiety comes from worrying about not being "nice" enough and feeling unable to feel comfortable. Psychologist Randy J. Paterson offers science-based guidance on setting boundaries, saying "no," coping with people-pleasing tendencies, and enhancing relationships.
Amazon rating: 4.6
Books With a Gentle Dive Into Our Mental Health
Below are the books that take a more casual approach, focusing on the feelings we experience and how our bodies respond to stress in our daily lives.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
While this book isn't just about anxiety, it teaches us about how our bodies are dealing with emotional suppression, stress, and chronic hypervigilance. Anxiety has a long-lasting influence on your body, so understanding how it affects us makes it easier for us to find new coping tools. Dr. van der Kolk is a trauma expert, and his insight is particularly useful for readers who are hyperaware but struggle with trusting their bodies.
Amazon rating: 4.8
Emotional Agility by Susan David
If you need a bit of hope to begin a journey toward emotional clarity and security, you might especially appreciate this empathetic, warm-hearted book. Susan David is a psychologist who has examined the importance of emotional agility and how it helps us reframe our thinking and accept living in an uncertain world.
Amazon rating: 4.6
The Wisdom of Anxiety by Sheryl Paul
Counselor Sheryl Paul doesn't say that anxiety disorder isn't a thing or that we don't have to work on it. Instead, she redirects readers' attention away from just managing the symptoms and shows us how to listen to what is affecting us and what our anxiety wants to say.
Amazon rating: 4.7
Memoirs and Fiction to Soothe in Our Daily Life
Not all books for anxiety and overthinking are rooted in science. Sometimes, we need other books, the ones that bring us wonder and a sense of amazement in the moments we long for joy.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Cheryl Strayed briefly introduces her story and explains how the pain and grief she experienced led her on a journey to reconnect with herself and regain hope. This wonderful but sometimes silly book leads us through her mental shift and recovery from depression, anxiety, and fear.
Amazon rating: 4.4
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Feeling like a child, tucked under the warm, fuzzy blankets, can soothe our anxiety. A timeless classic that tells stories where each finish line is enjoyable, and every conflict is resolved, it brings us hope. This is one of the books that reinstates a sense of calm.
Amazon rating: 4.5
Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai and Léa Le Pivert
While inspired by the podcast with the same name and a community favorite, these stories are made for healing. These tales are about regular, ordinary life as it is, filled with moments of joy and connection. With amazing art by illustrator Léa Le Pivert and vivid language by writer Kathryn Nicolai, these tales evoke only the best emotions.
Amazon rating: 4.8.
Can Books Help Me Manage Symptoms?
Although books cannot replace therapy, and our benefit from them depends on how well we understand and apply the tips they propose, they can be helpful if we know how to approach them effectively.
Combine theory with practice. Books we've provided, as well as the ones you can find online, are great tools, but your mental health improves most when you use the strategies you have learned in real life. Repetition strengthens new neural pathways and brings us confidence when dealing with anxiety and intrusive thoughts. For example, you can combine mindful breathing while playing Liven's soundscapes or incorporate the new exercises into your Habit Builder.
Reach out to a therapist if you need it. Working with a professional can provide us with greater clarity and self-awareness. If your anxiety and excessive thinking persist, it might be a good idea to talk to a specialist who can acknowledge the topics that attract you and lead you to other conclusions. A licensed specialist doesn't just address your worry; they also challenge your thoughts and offer an unbiased perspective.
Interact with the meaning behind the story. Books serve as windows that help us understand more than just the symptoms of anxiety. They also remind us about the psychology behind our choices and help us explore the physical and mental dimensions of what we read. Discuss what you have read with a trusted friend, journal about it to clear your mind, and listen to your inner voice.
Let fiction and children's books in. Many of us underestimate the value of fiction for stress management and alleviating anxious thinking. Research indicates that storytelling can significantly reduce anxiety levels in children, with implications for adult populations due to the universal nature of narrative experiences and emotional processing.
Final Thoughts
Although books cannot fix everything, they are immensely helpful for people with anxiety and overthinking symptoms when they understand how to work with them. Start from the first book that speaks to you.
The more exercises you try, the deeper you search within yourself, the greater calm you will experience. After all, what can be better than finding the words that finally describe what you feel, as if they are holding the key to your mind?
References
- Abdi, F., Karamoozian, A., Lotfilou, M., Gholami, F., Shaterian, N., Niasar, A. A., Aghapour, E., & Jandaghian-Bidgoli, M. (2025). Effect of play therapy and storytelling on the anxiety level of hospitalized children: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04767-4
- Ekinci, N., & Tokkas, B. G. (2024). A systematic review of narrative therapy. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 16(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1256695
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