Joe reads the books answers “I find Esther's descent into insanity a...”

Maddie asked this question about The Bell Jar:

I find Esther's descent into insanity a little rushed or hasty, but I have never experienced mental trauma like hers. Is it relatable to anyone else? Has anyone gone through what Esther is experiencing and could shed some light on this?

Joe reads the books "Insanity" is too extreme a word to describe what Esther was going through. She's experiencing major depressive disorder which I absolutely can relate…more"Insanity" is too extreme a word to describe what Esther was going through. She's experiencing major depressive disorder which I absolutely can relate to, and bipolar disorder which I cannot. I definitely know what it's like to feel lost after highschool and in college. Not knowing what you want to do, not knowing what you can or should do, and feeling very overwhelmed and then getting in a toxic self-doubting cycle that can rob years of your life (in my case most of my 20s), and there was absolutely self-harm and suicidal ideation in there too (but no attempts).

So yes I definitely related to parts of Esther's experience. I think it's a beautiful book.(less)

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