Andrew Solomon on depression and hope

Sue — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:07:21 +0000

It took me months to read Noonday Demon as it was so painfully what is going on in my mind, heart and life. And, still is. This bout with depression is over 3 yrs long and I am worn and weary. I have a good therapist, meds that work but cannot seem to find a sense of meaning in anything. I have lost so much and feel so alone. I see no real reason to stay here, to live… but hold on for my sons only… who don’t live with me and are out on their own at this point. I am alone, so very alone.
I write to say thank you for the book, the insights and the companionship on this painful road. I work when I can to write my own memoirs… but the energy and often the content scare me off. It is an uphill battle every moment of every day.

Andrew Solomon on depression and hope

Jennifer D. — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:20:08 +0000

At age 30 I had my major breakdown, although I suspect I had been depressed since early childhood. There was no light, only gut wrentching flashbacks, periods of self-harm, dissociation, severe anxiety, & multiple suicide attempts & hospitalizations. My diagnosis includes bi-polar disorder with major depressive episodes, PTSD, & Dissociative Identity Disorder which have been attempted to treat with just about every medication & med combination doctors can think of, as well as uni-laterl & bi-lateral ECT, in addition to therapy. It’s been 15 years since the breakdown, with only one period of minor remission that lasted about a year. Hope, which waxes & wanes is what keeps me going (along with my dogs). I have to believe there is a purpose to this, that there is something I need to learn, and that although the light of hope is very dim currently, it is still visable. I hear my doctors say I will get better, but after 15 unrelenting years I kind of doubt it. So, I must accept this, continue to take care of myself even during excruciating pain (that, yes, only those who have experienced it can really know), and look for moments of beauty. This disease is not visable to others; it can not be measured and the pain can not be relieved through a morphine drip. Those on the outside have no way of knowing the invisable torture being endured daily. So, I have little hope that I will get better, but I try to hold onto hope for continued strength to live to see the next beautiful sunrise.

Andrew Solomon on depression and hope

Neil Redfern — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:39:51 +0000

It can also be so incredibly debilitating for many people…those who hang onto any hope are the lucky ones.

Andrew Solomon on depression and hope

Depression man — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:25:55 +0000

I can totally relate to the part about each day without depression is a gift. It is just an awful illness that can only be appreciated by people who have been there.