Reading with Depression

A must-read post at Book Riot, on the experience of reading — and, I presume, life — while clinically depressed vs after effectively treating the depression.

Someone told me that there comes a grieving period when depression/anti-anxiety medication and/or therapy and/or other treatment starts to really work. It’s not grieving about losing who you are; it’s about how much you denied your past self. About how you didn’t give yourself the chance to function but listened to those painful messages your mind fed you.

I find that very believable. And very sad. If there is one thing I want in the (very) near future, it is to see a stake driven through the heart of the idea that clinical depression is a personal failing and that those affected should tough it out. I don’t think anything else could improve the quality of life for the coming century so much as a really effective treatment for clinical depression (and other emotional dysfunctions).

Thanks to Maureen for the link.