Sorry it's a bit long , but thanks if anyone gets through it till the end.
I’m a 26M, working for the past 3 years, recently diagnosed with ADHD and currently on medication.
About 3 years ago, after a breakup, I felt like my entire world collapsed. Since then I’ve tried therapy, self-help books, introspection, etc. They helped me become more self-aware, but I still feel deeply stuck.
I realized a lot of my thinking patterns around women, validation, intimacy, and self-worth were unhealthy from a very early age. Over time I developed a strong dependence on porn, constant validation-seeking, and obsessive thinking about relationships and women. Even when I understand what’s wrong intellectually, I struggle to change emotionally.
My breakup forced me to confront a lot of this. I don’t fully hate myself anymore, but I still carry guilt, confusion, and fear that I may never become the person I want to be.
At the same time, I have big ambitions and dreams, but I genuinely can’t tell whether they come from a real desire to build something meaningful, or just from wanting validation and approval from others.
I feel like I’m in a quarter-life crisis where I’m trying to rebuild my identity from scratch.
Can someone recommend books where the main character struggles with identity, loneliness, self-destruction, validation-seeking, addiction, or rebuilding themselves?
Not necessarily “self-help” books — even fiction is fine. I just want something deeply human and relatable that might help me understand myself better or give me direction., Thank you for reading till the end.
by Correct-Return-2057