Speaking of Sadness: Depression, Disconnection, and the Meanings of Illness

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing but not offering hope
Review: Although this book is more difficult to read than other books on depression that I have read, it is worth the extra effort. It reads like a sociology textbook, which is both good and bad. It is good in the sense that I have not seen any other books on this topic that so thoroughly describes depression in general terms but also has a personal touch, through the interviews. But the fact that this was a research project (at least parts of it were) for the author is evident by the writing style.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written and profoundly insightful book
Review: David Karp's book on depression is written in beautifully simple prose. His own battle with depression is interwoven throughout the stories of others, and the humanity and gentleness with which he portrays both speaks of a generosity of vision which preserves the sanctity of each person's story. There's no sociological-ese to distract from the stories, which is a delight for someone who- though an academic- tires of its exclusionary language. The courage it took to write this book-- as it is a "coming out" book of sorts-- is extraordinary, and that thought rests in the back of your mind as you read it, gathering inspirational power. As someone who has struggled with depression throughout my life, I felt a "resonance" with the souls represented in this book which at times had me in tears. Highly recommended-- both for those suffering from depression as well as academics.

Rating:
Summary: The most helpful book on depression I have ever read
Review: I borrowed this book from my local library before purchasing it to be sure it wasn't just another one of those preachy books encouraging those of us who struggle with depression to just get over it, that it will eventually subside. David Karp is honest about depression as an illness, which is totally on-point considering he suffers from it himself. The words he has written echo through my head each day, and have helped me in a tremendous way. He analogizes depression as a sort of mental arthritis, something we will just have to learn to live with. He doesn't make false promises of overcoming the problems associated with the illness. He is honest, and describes his own experience in ways that I related to immediately. One of the hardest things about depression is a feeling of isolation because not everyone in our immediate circle of friends can understand it if they've never experienced it. The narratives in this book have helped me more than I can put into words here in the mere fact of knowing I am not the only person to feel this way. I highly recommend this book to anyone who suffers with depression.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written and profoundly insightful book
Review: Karp is a sociologist who examines depression from a cultural point of view. Folks looking for a "quick cure" are not likely to be satisfied with this particular outing. However, folks looking to understand how society views those with depression, how folks with depression view society, and how the illness can also impact family members ... this is the place to go. I read this book as part of a medical anthropology curriculum ... an ethnography of an illness ... and found it to be quite enlightening. I have been in and out of treatment for depression myself over the years, and finding that so many people had similar experiences of reconstructing their self-view as a result of the illness was quite useful. Again, this book is definitely not a "quick fix" or "feel good" kind of book ... it's one that looks at the nitty-gritty of one of the country's most prevalent illnesses and examines the minutiae therein.

Rating:
Summary: Academic View of Illness
Review: Karp is a sociologist who examines depression from a cultural point of view. Folks looking for a "quick cure" are not likely to be satisfied with this particular outing. However, folks looking to understand how society views those with depression, how folks with depression view society, and how the illness can also impact family members ... this is the place to go. I read this book as part of a medical anthropology curriculum ... an ethnography of an illness ... and found it to be quite enlightening. I have been in and out of treatment for depression myself over the years, and finding that so many people had similar experiences of reconstructing their self-view as a result of the illness was quite useful. Again, this book is definitely not a "quick fix" or "feel good" kind of book ... it's one that looks at the nitty-gritty of one of the country's most prevalent illnesses and examines the minutiae therein.

Rating:
Summary: The most compassionate book on depression I have read
Review: Professor Karp combines the art of a sociologist and the wisdom and compassion of a man who has been there. Anyone who has experienced depression or been close to someone depressed will be riveted by the stories told in this work. Karp not only allows depressed people to tell their own stories but offers a brilliantly illuminating analysis of how people come to understand themselves and their condition. Karp does not peddle any easy solutions, but the reader will come away with profound new insights about how to make sense of mental illness and live in a world full of suffering.

Rating:
Summary: An Option
Review: Speaking of Sadness is a misleading term. This book is about the effects of depression as experienced by those who are unfortunate enough to undergo such an illness.

This book is a very eye opening and excellent source of information for anyone curious about the likelihood of the presence of depression.

I have personally experienced mild forms of depression during two different periods in my adolescence. Since these were mild forms, the time intervals between reoccurrences were vast. I must draw the conclusion (knowing my upbringing), that the trauma that caused these bouts of depression was mild (considerably) in comparison to the trauma that causes the depressions described in this text.

Yes, I am making a bold statement when I speak of trauma. Science has this habit of rejecting that which cannot be scientifically measured.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to release suppressed childhood trauma. Had it not been for my ability to do this, I would be undergoing another bout of depression. I therefore have a theory based on personal experience I would like to share with our author, and those of you who may chance upon this review.

Mr. Karp, when you were in Orlando Florida, I think that you were at the beginning of the solution to your removal of depression. The fact that you `broke down' signaled a step that needed continuance. From what I have experienced, depression is the symptom of suppression of trauma. I do not know how people, with the severity of depression of the order that you experience, will handle the pain that it takes to MOVE-THROUGH the sadness that you are holding within you. I say this because certainly one could not do it at once, I suspect that it would take numerous hours (over many years) of deeply painful weeping.

For me and my minute depressive episodes, it took (not until the age of 39) hours of gut-wrenching, fetal position--pain (sadness/weeping) exposure. I had to expose myself to the real sadness inside of me, and it hurt more than I can explain. However, over time, I have been able to remove this sadness from my being, and I AM different from within.

The title of the book `Speaking of Sadness' is ironic due to the fact that depression is a symptom of the avoidance of real sadness. Real sadness is initially more painful than depression, and that is the very fear that keeps us from moving through the sadness. We fear that pain we know we will have!!!

The real question is...could a person with severe depression, slowly and gently over time, handle the exposure to that intensity of pain? I believe the answer is Yes, as one becomes accustomed to pain, it becomes easier to remove. We are all aware that medication is primary for many to maintain some sort of balance and stability. And we are all aware, at the very same time, that the medication is merely a symptom fighter, at best.

I am being so bold as to expound a cure, and I am personally aware that there is only one thing that could give an individual the courage to attempt such a cure, and that is that very same Spirit that keeps them alive at this moment!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: The best book I've read on depression. Makes you realise that there's no magic medicine and that the illness will always be there - a fact I've found it difficult to come to terms with. Still he goes further and says how you have to live with this. No magic solutions, which, in my opinion, made it much more helpful than any book that promises to help you instantly overcome depression by simply being more cheerful.

Rating:
Summary: A must-read for the "intelligent" depressive
Review: While not offering neat/sappy cures for depression (a do this, do that approach), Karp does provide relief merely in his description of experiences someone suffering with depression has...profound insights that ring true for the commonality in dealing with this illness/condition.

As an individual suffering from periodic bouts of major depression, I found his insights mindblowing as I had never attributed these "traits" as part of the depression itself, but as part of my "unusual history." While hard to explain to the "average" and "normal", someone who has undergone the misery of depression would surely find resonance and comfort in Karp's remarkable work.

Lastly, I would recommend not digesting this book DURING a visit to the abyss as it is a bit heady (and usually concentration is a HUGE ISSUE at those times), but definitely read it after the bright lights turn on again.