Some of our best conversations with patients have started with a book. The right book can meet you in the moments care cannot: late at night, on a hard morning, or when you are trying to name something that does not yet have words.
Below are books we often recommend across our specialty areas, including PMDD, perinatal mental health, adult ADHD, and the work of healing family patterns. We only include titles we have actually read and would hand to someone we care about. The list grows as we find new ones worth adding.
A quick note on the links: as an Amazon Associate, Nueva Vida Psychiatry earns a small commission when someone purchases a book through a link on this page. It does not affect which books we include or what we say about them. Books are meant to support your care, not to replace it.
Last updated: April 2026
Books about premenstrual mood and hormonal influence on mental health.
The Cycle by Shalene Gupta A journalist’s candid, well-reported account of living with PMDD — covering the science, the treatment landscape, and the gaps that still exist in care.
This Is Your Brain on Birth Control by Sarah E. Hill, PhD
A psychologist’s accessible review of the research on how hormonal contraception affects brain, mood, and relationships.
The PMDD Phenomenon by Dr. Diana Dell A doctor’s clear, compassionate guide to understanding PMDD — what it is, why it happens, and how it can be treated. The book is a few years old, so some treatment details have been updated since, but it’s still one of the best places to start if you’re trying to make sense of what you’re experiencing.
Books for pregnancy, postpartum, and the psychological shifts of becoming a parent.
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman, MSW
The definitive resource on postpartum intrusive thoughts. Compassionate, validating, and widely recommended by perinatal clinicians.
What No One Tells You by Alexandra Sacks, MD, and Catherine Birndorf, MD
A psychiatrist-authored guide to the psychological shifts of pregnancy and early motherhood.
This Isn’t What I Expected by Karen Kleiman, MSW, and Valerie Raskin, MD
A classic on postpartum depression and anxiety, co-authored by a perinatal therapist and psychiatrist.
Books about adult ADHD, including late-diagnosed adults and women-specific ADHD experiences.
ADHD 2.0 by Edward Hallowell, MD, and John Ratey, MD
An updated overview from two psychiatrists who have shaped modern ADHD understanding.
Women with Attention Deficit Disorder by Sari Solden, MS, LMFT
The foundational book on how ADHD shows up in women, often differently than the stereotype most people picture.
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden, MS, LMFT, and Michelle Frank, PsyD
A recent resource focused on the experiences of women with ADHD, including shame, burnout, and self-concept.
Books on healing family patterns, cultural and generational trauma, and learning to set boundaries.
Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers by Karyl McBride, PhD
A compassionate resource for women navigating the lasting impact of being raised by a narcissistic mother.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD.
A widely recommended guide for adults who grew up with emotionally distant, rejecting, or self-involved parents, with practical tools for healing.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab, LCSW
A clear, practical guide to setting and maintaining boundaries in work, family, and relationships. Modern, secular, and culturally inclusive.