Martha Manning

I read this years ago - scenes from it still illuminate my understanding of depression. This says something about the vividness of the writing and clarity of its honesty.

The diary of Martha's 2 year battle with extreme depression. She try many different meds and therapy, all while still working. Finally she goes through ECT and slowly gets better. Very well written and easy to read.

I don't often read memoirs, and this one has a few problems similar to others (e.g., stories that don't directly relate to the central narrative, too many characters to keep straight). However, it offers a personal and excellent view into the mind of someone severely depressed. It can certainly help people understand how to treat and act around a depressed person, and I imagine it can help give hope to depressed people by showing how she lived through it.

A therapist journey in to and out of the dark side where so many of her clients reside. Told through her journal. Very good.