by Linda Gask (Author)
`If we had a keen vision and feeling of all ordinary human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow and the squirrel's heart beat, and we should die of that roar which lies on the other side of silence.'
George Eliot, Middlemarch
Having spent her life trying to patch up the souls of others, psychiatrist Linda Gask came to realise that being an expert in depression didn't confer any immunity from it - she had to learn take care of herself, too. Artfully crafted and told with warmth and honesty, this is the story of Linda's journey, interwoven with insights into her patients' diverse experiences of depression -inextricably linked with problems in the past and the present such as vulnerability, fear, loss, loneliness, dependence and grief. She sets out to convey, in a new and original way, how it truly feels to experience this devastating illness, what psychotherapy is about, and the role of medication- and provides hope for those who suffer from depression and their loved ones whilst busting the stigma of mental illness.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Publisher: Vie
Published: 10 Sep 2015
ISBN 10: 1849537542
ISBN 13: 9781849537544
Book Overview: People who have been depressed, or lived with depression in the family, will recognise the self-doubt, the gnawing anxiety and the brave public face, though not all reach the self-acceptance that she finally manages. Linda Gask has achieved something unusual: a book about depression that is both personal and scientifically sound. -- Louis Appelby,Former Director of Mental Health in England Brave, bold and poignant - but above all a first in bringing together the intricate web and weave of being simultaneously a doctor, a patient and an academic. -- Professor Dame Susan Bailey, Royal College of Psychiatrists Honest, vivid, powerful... anyone who has struggled with what are called 'common mental health problems' will identify with this book. -- Carolyn Chew-Graham, GP and Professor of General Practice Research, University of Keele