Emerson 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?

Emerson Well, she's obviously in some sort of depressive state, before anyone knew how to treat depression. Her depressive state is all-too-familiar for me. T…moreWell, she's obviously in some sort of depressive state, before anyone knew how to treat depression. Her depressive state is all-too-familiar for me. The key difference is that, back then, we didn't have medication to fix our brain chemistry. Where psychiatrists give us pills now and maybe we go through therapy, they found less humane ways of treating us. I can imagine being in a depressive state and having to deal with electroshock or incarceration. Yes, things would indeed escalate quickly.(less)

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