9 YA Titles Dealing with Mental Illnesses
Mental illness is very much a hot topic in today’s culture. The topic isn’t so taboo anymore as more and more people talk about their experiences and concerns. I am often drawn to books dealing with mental illnesses as I deal with my own and find solace in reading about a character who I can relate to. The listed books are some I have enjoyed and are often talked about when on the topic of books dealing with mental illness.
Trigger Warning- These books do deal with very heavy topics - eating disorders, suicide, and more. Please keep that in mind when wanting to read one of these books. In most, there is a page of resources in the back of the book.
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
Deals with: Anxiety
At fourteen, Audrey deals with social anxiety disorder. After an incident at school, she becomes confined to her home. Her brother’s friend, Adam, starts to come over more often, thus a friendship develops. With the help of her family, a therapist and Adam, Audrey works on her anxiety and getting better.
Even though the book deals with a heavy topic, it wasn’t depressing. Some humor is even incorporated it. I thought the author dealt with anxiety is a fairly good way. It was definitely relatable, but I wish we were given more information about what triggered Audrey’s anxiety. Though there is a bit of a romance occurring, Linus wasn’t the cure for all of her problems. The book really focused on how she really needs to help herself with the aid of those around her, family and therapy. It was realistic that in the end, Audrey wasn’t 100% okay, but that’s okay.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
Deals with: Depression & Suicide
Craig deals with the pressure of success and high school that lead him to almost take his life. He is checked into a mental hospital where he meets people who are not perfect. In the mental hospital, Craig is able to gain perspective on his illness, lifestyle and his own strengths.
Vizzini writes on a heavy topic, but humor is incorporated, which helps make the book not so dark. The pressures of school and worries about the future make Craig’s problems relatable to young adults. Craig’s character development is very prevalent throughout his time at the mental hospital. I also think it’s really important that the author experienced what Craig goes through, first hand. There are vivid descriptions and it shows how realistic the story is.
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten
Deals with: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Adam is a young boy dealing with OCD. In a support group for kids dealing with OCD, he meets Robyn, whom he is drawn to. He was to protect her but struggles with life problems like step siblings, divorced parents, a mom with her own illness and the challenges of OCD.
In this book, we are able to see the struggles of OCD as we hear Adam’s frustrations of his rituals. This really shows how debilitating mental illnesses can be, especially this one in particular. Although he is determined to overcome, it’s difficult and this struggle is relatable with many mental illnesses. The depiction of this illness has been said to be relatable and accurate.
Worrier’s Guide to Life by Gemma Correll
Deals with: Anxiety
This is just a fun, quick read. It is full of comics about general worries for about life. These worries cover everything you could imagine. It is very light-hearted.
I thought this was so relatable. The book was very humorous. This wasn’t written around a mental illness, but I think people with anxiety will be able to relate. I had to include because it’s so spot on about most things and it makes you laugh.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Deals with: Eating Disorder
Wintergirls is about two girls battling with the same eating disorder- anorexia. One dies, which leaves the other dealing with anorexia and the grief of losing her best friend.
This book deals with the heavier side of mental illnesses. It is very dark and real. I think you get an idea of what the illness is about. The actions and obsessive thoughts have been said to be realistic, which makes me believe that those who have dealt with this illness would be able to relate.
Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
Deals with: Agoraphobia
Solomon hasn’t left his house in 3 years. He is agoraphobic. Lisa and her boyfriend Clark befriend Solomon and Lisa is determined to “fix” his agoraphobia.
Whaley does a good job making the book not so heavy and depressing by incorporating humor throughout the novel. You could really feel the anxiety that Solomon dealt with when thinking about leaving the house. The ending was very realistic in that Solomon wasn’t cured. Mental illnesses can’t be cured in a short amount of time, so not having the happily ever after ending was suitable.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Deals with: Suicide & Depression & Bi-Polar Disorder
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death and is always thinking about ways to kill himself, but is stopped every time. Violet can’t escape school or her hometown soon enough. She deeply struggles with accepting her sister’s recent death. The two meet on the ledge of a bell tower and save each other. While one character’s world grows, the other’s shrinks and can’t escape their demons.
This novel was very thought provoking. It’s eye opening and very emotional. One can really get a sense of how the characters feel. You are able to get into their mind and connect with, which allows people a chance to relate to the characters.
Impossible Knife of Memory
Deals with: PTSD
Haley’s father suffers from PTSD. Her father and she are always on the run, escaping his demons. Haley is finally able to live a semi-normal life as they settle down in her father’s hometown. Haley now struggles with school and the struggles of her father and his illness.
We can see how fragile Haley’s father is through the symptoms of PTSD. Haley struggles with dealing with his symptoms as a loved one of someone dealing with PTSD. I thought it was a unique point of view, being that we get Haley’s POV instead of her fathers. Anderson really opens your eyes to what it can be like dealing with a loved one who has a mental illness.
Schizo by Nic Sheff
Deals with: Schizophrenia
Miles is an unreliable narrator recovering from a schizophrenic breakdown. He believes he is recovering, but in reality, he is getting worse. He becomes obsessed with finding his missing brother. Throughout the novel, Miles struggles to figure out what is reality and what is not.
I thought it was unique to write on schizophrenia as I’ve never seen another book dealing with the topic. I think the book gives good insight into the illness. You can really understand how distorted reality is for a schizophrenic. The author deals with a mental illness as well, though not schizophrenia, I think it’s good he’s trying to spread awareness of mental illnesses.
Books Dealing with Mental Illness that are on my TBR:
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Trigger Warning- These books do deal with very heavy topics - eating disorders, suicide, and more. Please keep that in mind when wanting to read one of these books. In most, there is a page of resources in the back of the book.
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
Deals with: Anxiety
At fourteen, Audrey deals with social anxiety disorder. After an incident at school, she becomes confined to her home. Her brother’s friend, Adam, starts to come over more often, thus a friendship develops. With the help of her family, a therapist and Adam, Audrey works on her anxiety and getting better.
Even though the book deals with a heavy topic, it wasn’t depressing. Some humor is even incorporated it. I thought the author dealt with anxiety is a fairly good way. It was definitely relatable, but I wish we were given more information about what triggered Audrey’s anxiety. Though there is a bit of a romance occurring, Linus wasn’t the cure for all of her problems. The book really focused on how she really needs to help herself with the aid of those around her, family and therapy. It was realistic that in the end, Audrey wasn’t 100% okay, but that’s okay.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
Deals with: Depression & Suicide
Craig deals with the pressure of success and high school that lead him to almost take his life. He is checked into a mental hospital where he meets people who are not perfect. In the mental hospital, Craig is able to gain perspective on his illness, lifestyle and his own strengths.
Vizzini writes on a heavy topic, but humor is incorporated, which helps make the book not so dark. The pressures of school and worries about the future make Craig’s problems relatable to young adults. Craig’s character development is very prevalent throughout his time at the mental hospital. I also think it’s really important that the author experienced what Craig goes through, first hand. There are vivid descriptions and it shows how realistic the story is.
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten
Deals with: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Adam is a young boy dealing with OCD. In a support group for kids dealing with OCD, he meets Robyn, whom he is drawn to. He was to protect her but struggles with life problems like step siblings, divorced parents, a mom with her own illness and the challenges of OCD.
In this book, we are able to see the struggles of OCD as we hear Adam’s frustrations of his rituals. This really shows how debilitating mental illnesses can be, especially this one in particular. Although he is determined to overcome, it’s difficult and this struggle is relatable with many mental illnesses. The depiction of this illness has been said to be relatable and accurate.
Worrier’s Guide to Life by Gemma Correll
Deals with: Anxiety
This is just a fun, quick read. It is full of comics about general worries for about life. These worries cover everything you could imagine. It is very light-hearted.
I thought this was so relatable. The book was very humorous. This wasn’t written around a mental illness, but I think people with anxiety will be able to relate. I had to include because it’s so spot on about most things and it makes you laugh.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Deals with: Eating Disorder
Wintergirls is about two girls battling with the same eating disorder- anorexia. One dies, which leaves the other dealing with anorexia and the grief of losing her best friend.
This book deals with the heavier side of mental illnesses. It is very dark and real. I think you get an idea of what the illness is about. The actions and obsessive thoughts have been said to be realistic, which makes me believe that those who have dealt with this illness would be able to relate.
Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
Deals with: Agoraphobia
Solomon hasn’t left his house in 3 years. He is agoraphobic. Lisa and her boyfriend Clark befriend Solomon and Lisa is determined to “fix” his agoraphobia.
Whaley does a good job making the book not so heavy and depressing by incorporating humor throughout the novel. You could really feel the anxiety that Solomon dealt with when thinking about leaving the house. The ending was very realistic in that Solomon wasn’t cured. Mental illnesses can’t be cured in a short amount of time, so not having the happily ever after ending was suitable.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Deals with: Suicide & Depression & Bi-Polar Disorder
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death and is always thinking about ways to kill himself, but is stopped every time. Violet can’t escape school or her hometown soon enough. She deeply struggles with accepting her sister’s recent death. The two meet on the ledge of a bell tower and save each other. While one character’s world grows, the other’s shrinks and can’t escape their demons.
This novel was very thought provoking. It’s eye opening and very emotional. One can really get a sense of how the characters feel. You are able to get into their mind and connect with, which allows people a chance to relate to the characters.
Impossible Knife of Memory
Deals with: PTSD
Haley’s father suffers from PTSD. Her father and she are always on the run, escaping his demons. Haley is finally able to live a semi-normal life as they settle down in her father’s hometown. Haley now struggles with school and the struggles of her father and his illness.
We can see how fragile Haley’s father is through the symptoms of PTSD. Haley struggles with dealing with his symptoms as a loved one of someone dealing with PTSD. I thought it was a unique point of view, being that we get Haley’s POV instead of her fathers. Anderson really opens your eyes to what it can be like dealing with a loved one who has a mental illness.
Schizo by Nic Sheff
Deals with: Schizophrenia
Miles is an unreliable narrator recovering from a schizophrenic breakdown. He believes he is recovering, but in reality, he is getting worse. He becomes obsessed with finding his missing brother. Throughout the novel, Miles struggles to figure out what is reality and what is not.
I thought it was unique to write on schizophrenia as I’ve never seen another book dealing with the topic. I think the book gives good insight into the illness. You can really understand how distorted reality is for a schizophrenic. The author deals with a mental illness as well, though not schizophrenia, I think it’s good he’s trying to spread awareness of mental illnesses.
Books Dealing with Mental Illness that are on my TBR:
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
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