Depression affects 20 percent
of the population but it's a deceptive disorder, it has many looks
and is hard to recognize. In fact it's a very complex phenomenon
which blurs the boundary between symptom and character more than
any other condition we deal with, and also raises very intriguing
questions about drugs and character, mind and body, self and society,
and the need to take responsibility for oneself despite the effects
of genetics, trauma, and injustice.
I wanted to find an approach
to dealing with depression that would lead to a helpful and hopeful
book, for patients, potential patients, and therapists, but would
open the door to these rich questions. Finally I hit on this idea
- that depressives learn things that I call the "skills of
depression" - behavior, assumptions, thought processes, ways
of dealing with emotions, ways of relating to others - that they
think are going to help them avoid or minimize depressing experiences.
But these things backfire. The things we do, that really come to
feel like part of our core self, just perpetuate the depression.
So we have to "undo" these habits - first by identifying
them, then learning more constructive adaptations. And that's what
I think this book does; it teaches people to recognize their depressive
ways of being, and it teaches healthier alternatives.
And I wanted the opportunity
to process my own experience. My mother took her own life when I
was 15. That experience shook me to the bones. You feel betrayed,
guilty, helpless, angry; you have trouble trusting and you want
to be in control at all times. Your bitterness plays itself out
in your relationships, your job, your body, your view of life. I've
suffered episodes of severe depression, and have been moderately
depressed almost all my adult life. But for the last five years
or so, I seem to have it under control. So I wanted a forum to put
together what I know about myself and what I know about my trade
- and like many books, this one is also an attempt to cure myself.
I'm interested in your feedback
about this book. Though I've tried hard to be factual and unbiased,
it's quite likely that there are errors in the text. If you have
a different opinion, or a different experience, please let me know,
and I'll try to respond. And of course if you find the book helpful,
I'd like to hear about that too.
Please feel free to email
me.
