The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression

Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT: exhaustive, unbiased, riveting, compassionate
Review: I could not put this book down. It is by far the best book on the subject of depression that I have read. The book has such range and depth; Solomon tackles all the angles of this complex subject with great intelligence, warmth and insight that he achieves a synthesis of the literary, political, medical, personal, historical, and philosophical dimensions of depression. Somehow the author manages to combine an incredibly personal and moving account of his own struggle with mental illness and that of others with a first class, rigorous text which any expert in the field would benefit from reading. His research, both academic and personal interviews, is impeccable, and I came away completely in awe of Solomon's command of the literature and handling of the numerous controversies surrounding the study of depression. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is so sophisticated a treatment of the subject that it made me constantly challenge my own views and I was left feeling exhilarated by the book's wealth of subject matter and the author's sensitive and unpatronising handling of it. The Noonday Demon is a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in depression and mental illness, either personal or professional. Solomon comes across as being like the most interesting guest at a dinner party: someone you want to talk to for hours about his experiences as they are so wideranging and unusual in some instances (read the book to see what I mean). It's hard to imagine a better book on depression, and this is surprising given that Solomon is a writer as opposed to a psychiatrist/psychologist. He might as well be, however, as he appears to know at least as much as a professional does and offers us a broader and more heartfelt account than a dispassionate doctor might be able to. I feel that the author has put such mental and emotional energy into the researching and writing of this book that it deserves, in my opinion, to be seen as the spectacular product of many years of Solomon's private reflections on his own illness and the work of an extremely intelligent and gifted writer, a text which future authors tackling the thorny subject of depression will not be able to ignore.

Rating:
Summary: Another book that intellectualizes depression
Review: Many people seem to really like this book. Im not one of them however. The reason I didnt like it was because of how the author broods about depression in an intellectual type way. To me, severe depression is nothing but a horrible medical disorder that is brain based and destroys lives and families. This book vastly over discusses all the psycho-social aspects of depression, whereas the emphasis should be on the neurological underpinnings of depression. The root cause of depression...which is brain dysfunction.

In the end the author decides to undertake an extreme and very very rare treatment. He decides to undergo a cingulotomy, which is a modernized, high tech form of psychosurgery that is purely voluntary and very rarely done. This desperate last stand truly clarifies the bottom line, hard to accept fact that severe depression is a brain illness and not a "mental illness." The author could have left out a large portion of the book and instead focused more on the biological aspects of depression.

While this book does describe the "hell" of severe clinical depression, it also intellectualizes something that is basically a medical problem. I find this endless intellectual, "psychobabblish" rumination of a serious medical disease as distastful. Although unfortunately this is very common.

This book, while very readable and admittedly interesting, does a disservice to all severely mentally ill individuals by heavily discussing the overemphasized psycho-social aspects of depression.

Rating:
Summary: Five stars for Andrew. Three Duh-uh-uhs for a couple of the
Review: reviewers. Both "A reader" and Mike Finn have criticized a book about depression as being "too whiney" for them. Isn't that a little like saying that the cookbook could have been better if they just wouldn't talk about food so much?

I myself have suffered from depression almost as long as I have suffered from reading poorly thought out customer reviews on Amazon.com. I'm not sure which is worse.

Great job, Andrew. A real gift for people who genuinely suffer from depression. And, guess what - It turns out that it's also good for people who suffer from whining too much!

Say, if you take a little time off from whining sometime and actually READ THE BOOK, you might come to discover the difference. But I understand. Reading is kind of hard on you whiners. It's so much easier to whine than to try to read and understand a book that's actually a little bit longer and a tad more complex than a Harry Potter novel, isn't it?

Rating:
Summary: One critical insight
Review: There is much more than that in, "The Noonday Demon" but for me, when I read the book and was struggling with how to cope with my own depression, one insight was enough.

Depression is a progressive disease. If you don't treat depression with medication or therapy it can get worse. That was enough to get me into treatment.

I also thought Solomon did an amazing job of showing how devastating severe depression can be; vertigo, throwing up and delusions yet he did not make people like myself with chronic though not severe depression feel slighted.

The overview sections were less effective but allowed the book to claim its title "An atlas of depression." It felt jarring to go from the intimate, personal account of a serious disease into a more abstract discussion of the various aspects of depression and yet I believe that was the point. Its not enough to see depression as the devastation wrecked upon a single life but as a widespread illness that fingers its way through so many aspects of so many lives.

Rating:
Summary: Deep and Fascinating Book
Review: This book covers depression from many angles, from the biochemistry involved to the existential questions that (should) bother eveyone.

Solomon looks at how depression is viewed in other cultures, what makes us happy and sad, and maps out the fine road between physiological depression and just feeling blue.

He broaches the subject of suicide with admirable straightforwardness and clarity. I really like his observation that with suicide a person not only destroys themselves, but also the entire world that they perceive.

The book is enjoyable to read and is not overly technical. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand this core aspect of being human.

Rating:
Summary: Deserving of all its awards!
Review: This book has already been extensively reviewed by others, but I would like to respond to an earlier, negative review by LostBoyinNC. Contrary to his opinion, virtually all mental health professionals consider psychosocial factors to be highly relevant to depression. The author of this book mentions them, but he certainly does not overemphasize them, as the reviewer suggests. The author does not "intellectualize." He gives a vivid, readable account of the inner world of depression.

The second problem with this review is nothing less than a mistake. The author does NOT get a cingulotomy, he simply writes about another person's experience with this procedure. Indeed, the matter is mentioned on perhaps three pages in the whole book. I'm not sure how the reviewer came to this conclusion, but perhaps he was bored and reading quickly through a book that he unfairly depicts as "psychobabble."

Solomon's book is admittedly lengthy, and somewhat simplified in certain technical matters, but it is beautifully written and does a great job conveying the subjective experience of depression. He also gives plenty of practical information on etiology and treatment. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is either dealing with depression or trying to cope with a depressed family member. Do not be deterred by erroneous reviews.

Rating:
Summary: Deserving of all its awards!
Review: This book is a powerful demon itself. I cried countless times as I identified with what Andrew Solomon was describing and giving form to with every conceivable anecdote and case study. For personal reasons, I was most interested in the parts relating to suicide. And for those out there like me who are looking for more books on the subject, please consider Carla Fine's NO TIME TO SAY GOODBYE (a suicide survivor's handbook, or bible really) and Jennifer Paddock's A SECRET WORD (a superb, beautifully written novel about young women surviving suicide and living with depression).

Rating:
Summary: If you think you suffer from depression, read this book
Review: This is one of the two best books I have seen on depression, the other being "Night Falls Fast" by Kay Jamison.

I suffer from both clinical depression, and profound suicidal ideations. Contrary to the assertions of a previous reviewer, Solomon points out the difference between depression that is a chronic mental illness, as opposed to being a little weepy about "Sex & the City" ending its run. This is not a "psycho-babble" book. Solomon is critical of the ignorant view that people suffering from depression need to just "get over it" or "cheer up" or "think positive." Depression is much more than that: It is an illness. Telling someone who is clinically depressed to "cheer up" is like telling someone who is near-sighted to just concentrate harder, and you will see clearer. While both are possible, do not bet on either working.

Solomon also attacks those irresponsible authors who contend that medication to address mental illness is not necessary. While certainly there may be some mild forms of mental illness that can be treated with "potatoes, not prozac" (to coin a phrase), to say that medication is not necessary is not only wrong, but insulting.

Still, while mental illness does has its origins in biochemical reactions, the "disease" model is an imperfect fit. That is where Solomon's book really provides a service: People suffering from depression do need medication. Nevertheless, your doctor is committing malpractice if you only take medication, and do not pursue a program of talk therapy.

About two years ago, I had a significant tumble. A friend read a review for Solomon's book, and encouraged me to read it. I did. From Solomon's careful, and helpful explanation of the different medications, and their history, I was able to sum up the courage and strength to talk to my doctor about my suicidal urges. Still, I was afraid--afraid that my doctor would either scoff at me, and tell me to "grow up" and "stop being such a baby." Or the other extreme: Call the police, and have me dragged away to a padded room for the next five years. Fortunately, neither of those things happened. Instead, I got a perscription, and sought out a counselor on a friend's recommendation. Today, I still struggle with my depression, and have to be careful--but it is not as consuming as it was before.

Suicidal ideations and depression are not exactly the same, but connected, like the rails of a railroad track. If you are suicidal, I urge you to find something--anything--you would miss if you were no longer here: blue sky, good food, your favorite song, a relative who loves you. Hang on that. Then remember that you are not alone: Many other people feel the same way. You are not weak, or strange. But you do need (and deserve) help. If you don't trust or feel comfortable with your doctor, then find another doctor you do trust. But do something--You don't need to suffer alone.

This book is a good place to start. Begin with the introduction, and skip to the chapter on suicide.

Another book that helped me (in addition to the above mentioned book by Jamison) is "The Savage God: A Study of Suicide" by A. Alvarez. Both are available through Amazon.com, but should also be available at your local bookstores--if you need help right away.

Rating:
Summary: Andrew Explores the Depths of the "DEMON"...
Review: Wow--the 1st phrase to come to my mind after consuming this beast of a book. But, it was 500+ pages that went down easy, if that's possible. Andrew Solomon is an intellectually engaging, and tirelessly thorough, author.This volume tackles depression from all angles--anecdotes, mythological beliefs throughout the ages, scientific analysis, and real-life (and very often disturbing) stories of real life people, and their various sufferings. The most unique, and "refreshing" aspect of the work, though, is Solomon's ongoing, in-depth analysis of his own frightening battle with the "demon". Andrew takes us deep into the ugliness he dips into far too often: his family tragedy, and how it has shaped him (for better or worse); his own battles with his sexuality, and how that contributes to the chaos; his circle of friends that play a huge role in his evolution as a manic depressive, and much more. Another positive about this book is that while it gets quite somber throughout, there are also many rays of hope and strength that emanate from the text--Overall, this is literally a helpful companion for those who might be suffering day in and day out with a heaviness of the heart, mind, and soul, as Andrew has an impressive knack to convey his suffering so that the reader might find a friend. You are not alone.