The Beast: A Journey Through Depression

Rating:
Summary: Life-restoring
Review: I have suffered from a low-level, but chronic and debilitating depression for over 14 years. I, at times, grieve over those lost years of my life. Medication and occasional therapy have seemed to work for me, however, and I'm finally living. Yet, it is difficult as I struggle to change my patterns of thinking and behaviour. Which brings me to the book: this book was and is a god-send. She described so eloquently and precisely what the beast is about, how it devastates and how we learn to cope with it. Unfortunantly, these coping mechansims don't work well with the rest of the world. She confirmed many of the thoughts and feelings I have had and taught me new ways to cope. She has given my family and loved ones a new understanding of me that I could not convey because (thankfully for them) they had no clue what I was dealing with. Reading this book has literally been a turning point in my life, she has inspired, coached and encouraged me to start again, to try again, and I am greatful beyond words.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely The Best Book for Someone Depressed
Review: I ordered this book along with 2 others, You Are Not Alone (Thorne) and On The Edge of Darkness (Cronkite) and Ms. Thompson is the only one who I felt really understood what I am feeling and have felt, living with depression almost my entire life. Her first person account of living with The Beast made me feel like I am not alone with this disease. Although I appreciated the vignette approach to "You Are Not Alone", it was Ms. Thompson who I felt a real connection with. I could not finish reading the Cronkite book because it seemed like these stories were the rich and famous talking about their adult onset of depression. The Beast is absolutely THE best for someone living with depression because it made me feel like someone else has been through and lived through the same horrors that I have.

Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: I suspected that I suffered from depression before reading this book. After reading it, I know I do. After reading the first 20 pages, I picked up a pen and began to underline some of the thoughts and behaviors that the author described experiencing which I was also experiencing. When I realized that I had underlined something every few pages, I decided that I needed to contact a psychiatrist.

Rating:
Summary: excellent, easy to relate to book
Review: I think that Tracy does an excellent job portraying her journey through depression, and that it accurately shows how a person viewed as "normal" by everyone surrounding them can actually have a multitude of problems. I have also read Prozac Nation, and I feel that although both deal with the issue of depression, Tracy's portrayl seems to be the kind of depression experienced by most people, rather than Elizabeth's all-out non-functioning type of depression. I found it very easy to understand and even to relate to because I, too, suffered from depression and am aware of the fact that you can live your life, and achieve many things of which you are proud of, but you can't appreciate your accomplishments because you are always trying to do better

Rating:
Summary: excellent, easy to relate to book
Review: I think that Tracy does an excellent job portraying her journey through depression, and that it accurately shows how a person viewed as "normal" by everyone surrounding them can actually have a multitude of problems. I have also read Prozac Nation, and I feel that although both deal with the issue of depression, Tracy's portrayl seems to be the kind of depression experienced by most people, rather than Elizabeth's all-out non-functioning type of depression. I found it very easy to understand and even to relate to because I, too, suffered from depression and am aware of the fact that you can live your life, and achieve many things of which you are proud of, but you can't appreciate your accomplishments because you are always trying to do better

Rating:
Summary: It is the day-to-day survival that resonates most with me.
Review: I've read several books trying to understand the beast within myself, and Tracy Thompson's is the most open and useful account I had found. I especially liked the way it captures the moments not just in hindsight but as turmoil and pain felt at the time. I've found it near impossible to reflect on my own moments of agony with a clear, wide-open eye. Another thing I respect is that depression isn't a one-shot thing, and reading her account of coming back out again was uplifting. As one who also was on the fast track to success only to stumble on myself repeatedly, I very much appreciated her story. Hers is one of the book that prompted me to write a letter as soon as I finished to thank her.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent autobiography!
Review: In brief, I found this autobiography to be profoundly representative of my own struggles with depression. She shows that depression can hit anyone, at any age, at any education level. Her story inspires the reader to believe that there is help out there and with work, one can be happy and successful again. I encourage anyone with depression and anyone who knows someone with depression to pick up this easy to read novel.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, someone who understands....
Review: Ms. Thompson's book literally took my breath away. At last, someone's life long account of deaing with depression. I commend her for her forthright, honest account of how this illness took over her life and how she battled her way back. Depression is so difficult to describe to those who have not dealt with it on such a severe basis but Ms. Thompson describes it perfectly, especially how it creeps up then grabs hold. Society still equates depression with a weakness in character so I find it particularly brave that such a public persona would come forth with such a personal tale. I know it has given me much comfort and hope.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful account of the author's experiences
Review: Sometimes it's nice to sit down and peer into someone's madness, and find, to both amusement and astonishment, that what separates "us" from "them" might not be so large after all.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best "non-technical" books around
Review: The opening passage of the book gives any reader a great example of what an extreme, or even moderate, clinical depression is like. Though most of us don't have her specific beast, anyone with a full-blown clinical depression has something like it, and will be cheering for her as she fights her way out of her depression. It gives all of us hope that we, too, will see the end of the tunnel. A must read for people with this insidious illness.