BISAC Subject Headings List

Use the information provided here to determine the specific codes that describe your book. An asterisk (*) denotes a new heading for the current year’s edition. Not sure how to select your code? Check out our FAQ.

If you can't find the code you're looking for after reviewing all the pages below, we recommend you use whatever codes currently best represent your book. If you want to propose a new code for future BISAC additions, you can submit a suggestion here.

To download and incorporate this list into your databases and systems, you’ll need to purchase an End Users' License Agreement. 

SELF-HELP

Use subjects in this section for works on personal growth or works aimed at helping people deal with personal problems, including mental illnesses and dependencies.  For works written to help people deal with issues involving child rearing or relationships, use subjects in the FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS section.  For scholarly works, serious lay studies, or works aimed at psychology professionals, use subjects in the PSYCHOLOGY section.

SEL000000    SELF-HELP / General

SEL001000    SELF-HELP / Abuse

                                  SELF-HELP / Addiction see headings under Substance Abuse & Addictions

SEL003000    SELF-HELP / Adult Children of Substance Abusers

SEL004000    SELF-HELP / Affirmations

SEL005000    SELF-HELP / Aging

SEL036000    SELF-HELP / Anxieties & Phobias

                                   SELF-HELP / Bereavement see Death, Grief, Bereavement

                                  SELF-HELP / Chemical Dependence see headings under Substance Abuse & Addictions

SEL008000    SELF-HELP / Codependency

SEL040000    SELF-HELP / Communication & Social Skills

SEL041000    SELF-HELP / Compulsive Behavior / General

SEL041010    SELF-HELP / Compulsive Behavior / Gambling

SEL041020    SELF-HELP / Compulsive Behavior / Hoarding

SEL041030    SELF-HELP / Compulsive Behavior / Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

SEL041040    SELF-HELP / Compulsive Behavior / Sex & Pornography Addiction

SEL009000    SELF-HELP / Creativity

SEL048000    SELF-HELP / Cutting & Self-Harm

SEL010000    SELF-HELP / Death, Grief, Bereavement

SEL012000    SELF-HELP / Dreams

SEL014000    SELF-HELP / Eating Disorders & Body Image

SEL042000    SELF-HELP / Emotions

SEL038000    SELF-HELP / Fashion & Style

SEL046000    SELF-HELP / Gender & Sexuality

SEL039000    SELF-HELP / Green Lifestyle

                                  SELF-HELP / Grief see Death, Grief, Bereavement

SEL015000    SELF-HELP / Handwriting Analysis

                                 SELF-HELP / Hypnotism see Self-Hypnosis

SEL050000    SELF-HELP / Indigenous Mental Health & Healing

SEL045000    SELF-HELP / Journaling

SEL019000    SELF-HELP / Meditations

                                  SELF-HELP / Memory Improvement see Personal Growth / Memory Improvement

SEL020000    SELF-HELP / Mood Disorders / General

SEL020010    SELF-HELP / Mood Disorders / Bipolar Disorder

SEL011000    SELF-HELP / Mood Disorders / Depression

SEL021000    SELF-HELP / Motivational & Inspirational

SEL037000    SELF-HELP / Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

SEL031000    SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / General

SEL016000    SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Happiness

SEL030000    SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Memory Improvement

SEL023000    SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Self-Esteem

SEL027000    SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Success

SEL043000    SELF-HELP / Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

                                   SELF-HELP / Recovery see specific headings in this section

                                  SELF-HELP / Relaxation see Self-Management / Stress Management

SEL049000    SELF-HELP / Safety & Security / General (see also HOUSE & HOME / Safety & Security)

SEL047000    SELF-HELP / Safety & Security / Personal Safety & Self-Defense

SEL049010    SELF-HELP / Safety & Security / Survival & Emergency Preparedness

SEL017000    SELF-HELP / Self-Hypnosis

SEL044000    SELF-HELP / Self-Management / General

SEL033000    SELF-HELP / Self-Management / Anger Management (see also FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Anger)

SEL024000    SELF-HELP / Self-Management / Stress Management

SEL035000    SELF-HELP / Self-Management / Time Management

SEL034000    SELF-HELP / Sexual Instruction

SEL032000    SELF-HELP / Spiritual

SEL026000    SELF-HELP / Substance Abuse & Addictions / General

SEL006000    SELF-HELP / Substance Abuse & Addictions / Alcohol

SEL013000    SELF-HELP / Substance Abuse & Addictions / Drugs

SEL026010    SELF-HELP / Substance Abuse & Addictions / Tobacco

SEL029000   SELF-HELP / Twelve-Step Programs

If your title does not have subject content, i.e. a blank book, please use the Non-Classifiable term below. Otherwise, use the Subject/General term in the closest descriptive area. NON000000 NON-CLASSIFIABLE

© 2024, Book Industry Study Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of these lists or any attached documents may be distributed or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the Book Industry Study Group, Inc.