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Out of the Nightmare: Recovery from Depression and Suicidal Pain
"Out of the Nightmare" presents a no-fault theory about depression and suicide. It argues that we should not blame the victim, the family, the caregivers, or society in general. It provides a detailed analysis of each of the barriers that stand between suicidal pain and recovery, and provides those who suffer from depression with hundreds of resources to find their way out of the nightmare. Recovery from depression is decomposed into recovery from envy, shame, self-pity, grandiosity, fear, stigma, prejudice, and the vicious circles of sucidal pain. The book helps sufferers find lasting relief from internalized negative self-judgments.
- GenresPsychologyMental Health
364 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 22, 2020
This book describes suicide the best way that can be! As a suicide survivor, this book has provided me with a great pain coping resource, because one of the things that hurt the most (while you’re already in extreme pain) is being misunderstood and receiving all those accusations. It expressed every thing I felt so well and now I’m sure that if I ever suffer from such pain again at least I’ll have the means to explain it this time. I totally recommend it to everyone, it gives you the best insight to what suicide really is like.
January 31, 2021
This review is long overdue.
I can say unequivocally that this book is in a class all its own. With a voice of compassion sorely lacking in other books, David L. Conroy very thoroughly and clearly explains the many facets of a very complex issue. In a society so quick to rely on a magic-pill approach, Dr. Conroy states in one of many of my favorite passages that “Even if we accept the view that biochemical imbalances may contribute to depression and suicide, it is a mistake to assume that the biochemical aspect of the problem is entirely within the victim. It is also partly within the physiological makeup of the people around the suicide.” In other words: no victim shaming; no victim blaming. We are ALL responsible for the pain we inflict on one another, whether intentional or not. Being accountable for how we treat each other and how it may play a role in contributing to someone’s despair is fundamental in making a difference in what is truly an epidemic.
One of the largest hurdles in truly making a difference in the ever-increasing loss of life to suicide is the stigma associated with honestly discussing the difficult emotions leading up to it. To be vulnerable is to be considered weak, needy, and attention-seeking. Dr. Conroy systematically dismantles this abhorrent point of view.
I would easily put this book in my very short list of game changers: books that completely shifted my worldview and helped light the way through an otherwise overwhelmingly dark and lonely place.
I can say unequivocally that this book is in a class all its own. With a voice of compassion sorely lacking in other books, David L. Conroy very thoroughly and clearly explains the many facets of a very complex issue. In a society so quick to rely on a magic-pill approach, Dr. Conroy states in one of many of my favorite passages that “Even if we accept the view that biochemical imbalances may contribute to depression and suicide, it is a mistake to assume that the biochemical aspect of the problem is entirely within the victim. It is also partly within the physiological makeup of the people around the suicide.” In other words: no victim shaming; no victim blaming. We are ALL responsible for the pain we inflict on one another, whether intentional or not. Being accountable for how we treat each other and how it may play a role in contributing to someone’s despair is fundamental in making a difference in what is truly an epidemic.
One of the largest hurdles in truly making a difference in the ever-increasing loss of life to suicide is the stigma associated with honestly discussing the difficult emotions leading up to it. To be vulnerable is to be considered weak, needy, and attention-seeking. Dr. Conroy systematically dismantles this abhorrent point of view.
I would easily put this book in my very short list of game changers: books that completely shifted my worldview and helped light the way through an otherwise overwhelmingly dark and lonely place.
October 7, 2012
Looks at suicide from an entirely different perspective than I have seen present anywhere else. David L. Conroy begins to create a dialogue in this book which is sorely lacking in our society.
July 4, 2012
Exceptionally insightful. The author challenges the many myths surrounding suicidal thinking and behaviours, including those perpetuated by professional authorities as well as by the public. Recommended for anyone wanting to really understand the suicidal mind, and for those enduring persistent suicidal ideation.
February 12, 2012
This should have been the first book about suicide that I read.
Page 5: The myth of unimpaired volition
10: By acts of will …these are not accurate points
29: This ideation is not
34: Talk to people in these conditions, ask yourself
36: As with romantic attitudes
46: If we review
56: No matter what bad thing or combination
62: Being pressured to do things
64: The fear of suicidal death is
67: Any hurt that we have ever suffered
75: In the popular imagination
80: Unfortunately, advocates of
Limiting it to
89: This is an exact analogue to the denial
93: Perfectionism often psychologically
5. one way to shame people is with
106: Many suicidal people believe their situation is so
109: A severe from of depression involves
111- Some pain will still be left
116:
118: Recognize that everything in your
119: Suicidal people continuously engage in
120: More of your life history than you realize has gone into
128: No single person, including you, is ever going
136:Don’t be a drag is
Most people regard themselves as above average
156: Rights of the Suicidal
205: The mythology of suicide holds that it’s
221: Vicious circles
286: Blame for the victim was abetted by
329: People with suicidal depression often make statements
Page 5: The myth of unimpaired volition
10: By acts of will …these are not accurate points
29: This ideation is not
34: Talk to people in these conditions, ask yourself
36: As with romantic attitudes
46: If we review
56: No matter what bad thing or combination
62: Being pressured to do things
64: The fear of suicidal death is
67: Any hurt that we have ever suffered
75: In the popular imagination
80: Unfortunately, advocates of
Limiting it to
89: This is an exact analogue to the denial
93: Perfectionism often psychologically
5. one way to shame people is with
106: Many suicidal people believe their situation is so
109: A severe from of depression involves
111- Some pain will still be left
116:
118: Recognize that everything in your
119: Suicidal people continuously engage in
120: More of your life history than you realize has gone into
128: No single person, including you, is ever going
136:Don’t be a drag is
Most people regard themselves as above average
156: Rights of the Suicidal
205: The mythology of suicide holds that it’s
221: Vicious circles
286: Blame for the victim was abetted by
329: People with suicidal depression often make statements
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews