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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 12:40:49
I've finally gotten around to starting Andrew Solomon's "The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression."
It is a huge book, so I don't expect to read it straight through. I've only read about 50 pages at this point, but here are some impressions thus far:
He is clearly a very intelligent and intellectual writer. He has this broad fund of knowledge that he draws from, so it's interesting because it's not like other books on depression--it's not just a personal story, it's not just useful information, etc.
He writes so beautifully. His word craft is elegant and a pleasure to read. There is depth to it. It is not just an ordinary book--it feels like a work of art.
The way he describes the experience of depression is so moving to me, bringing me to tears sometimes.
The reading level is high, so although it is very satisfying reading, it can be challenging reading at times--especially when I encounter unfamiliar vocabulary words--something that I rarely find in a popular book! I should start tagging these words to come back later and look up. For now, knowing the definition hasn't been necessary, as I can approximate by context sufficiently so that it doesn't detract from the reading.
I'll post more impressions as I progress through the book.
Has anyone else read this?
Posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 20:55:27
In reply to Noonday Demon, posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 12:40:49
> I've finally gotten around to starting Andrew Solomon's "The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression."
>
> It is a huge book, so I don't expect to read it straight through. I've only read about 50 pages at this point, but here are some impressions thus far:
>
> He is clearly a very intelligent and intellectual writer. He has this broad fund of knowledge that he draws from, so it's interesting because it's not like other books on depression--it's not just a personal story, it's not just useful information, etc.
>
> He writes so beautifully. His word craft is elegant and a pleasure to read. There is depth to it. It is not just an ordinary book--it feels like a work of art.
>
> The way he describes the experience of depression is so moving to me, bringing me to tears sometimes.
>
> The reading level is high, so although it is very satisfying reading, it can be challenging reading at times--especially when I encounter unfamiliar vocabulary words--something that I rarely find in a popular book! I should start tagging these words to come back later and look up. For now, knowing the definition hasn't been necessary, as I can approximate by context sufficiently so that it doesn't detract from the reading.
>
> I'll post more impressions as I progress through the book.
>
> Has anyone else read this?
I have not read it yet but there was a discussion of it on this board a while back so a search should provide that. I just finished reading another book that I would make the same comments about however. It's called "The Beast" by Tracy Thompson. She is or was a journalist for "The Washington Post". I really enjoyed her eloquence and her insights into her condition. My only complaint is that, although therapy and attitude changes helped her, her primary salvation came from Prozac. I believe it's Celexa for Andrew Solomon. Those of us who have are treatment resistant and can't be "fixed" with a simple SSRI may be disappointed or sad at the end of the book when we realize that this cure isn't in store for us. We still have to continue to fight "the Beast" everyday.Kara
Posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 21:14:03
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » Noa, posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 20:55:27
Yes, I read an excerpt of Brown's book, and it was good.
Solomon seems to be talking about treatment being more complicated than just meds, though. But I remember seeing a news magazine piece about him on TV and as TV goes, they did kind of boil his treatment down to Celexa, which his father helped develop. But in the book, it feels more complicated than that.
I'll let you know as I read more.
Posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 23:11:47
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » karaS, posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 21:14:03
> Yes, I read an excerpt of Brown's book, and it was good.
You mean Tracy Thompson's book?
> Solomon seems to be talking about treatment being more complicated than just meds, though. But I remember seeing a news magazine piece about him on TV and as TV goes, they did kind of boil his treatment down to Celexa, which his father helped develop. But in the book, it feels more complicated than that.
>In all fairness, Thompson's book was a bit more complicated than just the drug but it was definitely the biggest piece of it. I shouldn't let it diminish all of the good things she has to say though. I think it just hit a nerve for me right now.
> I'll let you know as I read more.Great. I'll be looking forward to it.
K
Posted by Noa on October 17, 2004, at 18:02:29
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » Noa, posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 23:11:47
Yes, I meant Thompson. Don't know where "Brown" came from. Funny brain, mine!
Posted by karaS on October 17, 2004, at 18:14:07
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » karaS, posted by Noa on October 17, 2004, at 18:02:29
> Yes, I meant Thompson. Don't know where "Brown" came from. Funny brain, mine!
Brown, Thompson - they're so similar. I can see why you'd make that mistake (but then I have a funny brain too!)
Posted by partlycloudy on October 22, 2004, at 7:04:34
In reply to Noonday Demon, posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 12:40:49
This was one of the first books I read when I was dx'd with "mild bipolar II". It completely enthralled me, and I kept on reading bits of it to my husband, who, I quickly understood, wasn't as fascinacted with the topic as I was.
Posted by KaraS on November 13, 2004, at 17:53:17
In reply to Noonday Demon, posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 12:40:49
Noa,
Well, what are your thoughts now on this book?
I got it out of the library and have read sections of it. It's so well written and comprehensive on the topic.
I'm going to put it down and read the rest of it at some later date because I'm finding it too painful for me right now. I've been feeling really vulnerable and it feels like it's rubbing salt in my wounds.
I wish that the whole world would read it though so that they would have more of an understanding of what those of us who suffer from depression are dealing with every day.
Kara
Posted by KaraS on November 14, 2004, at 0:19:46
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » Noa, posted by partlycloudy on October 22, 2004, at 7:04:34
> This was one of the first books I read when I was dx'd with "mild bipolar II". It completely enthralled me, and I kept on reading bits of it to my husband, who, I quickly understood, wasn't as fascinacted with the topic as I was.
Too bad everyone isn't as interested in this book as we are. I wish more people would read it so that they understand better.
My doctor thinks I might have what he called a "soft bipolar" condition based on the fact that I have periods where I sleep well and periods of insomnia. I wonder if that's what you're saying about yourself. I'm not certain I agree in my case. I'm not certain I disagree either. I think the times that I have insomnia may be specifically related to stress or to hormones. I'm watching things closely now to try to figure out exactly what's going on. How do your symptoms manifest? Maybe I should look into this more in Solomon's book if I'm up to it. It's an excellent book (just judging by skipping around in it) but it has been painful to read at times so I thought I might put it aside until I was in a better state of mind.
-K
Posted by partlycloudy on November 15, 2004, at 5:24:28
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » partlycloudy, posted by KaraS on November 14, 2004, at 0:19:46
My BP2 manifests itself by being mostly major depression. The manic periods are very short (a week or so) and I guess that's what makes it mild. Effexor worked for almost a year, then my body went completely whacko, so I'm switching to Cymbalta - it's brilliant for me. Very easy transition so far.
My husband is much more understanding and compassionate about my illness now. He can't believe how I've improved in the last month. Of course, I'm waiting for the bubble to burst...
pc
Posted by KaraS on November 16, 2004, at 1:00:47
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » KaraS, posted by partlycloudy on November 15, 2004, at 5:24:28
> My BP2 manifests itself by being mostly major depression. The manic periods are very short (a week or so) and I guess that's what makes it mild. Effexor worked for almost a year, then my body went completely whacko, so I'm switching to Cymbalta - it's brilliant for me. Very easy transition so far.
> My husband is much more understanding and compassionate about my illness now. He can't believe how I've improved in the last month. Of course, I'm waiting for the bubble to burst...
> pc
Wow, that's so nice to hear - both in terms of how well you're doing and how much the book helped your husband to understand. Wish I had given it to my mother to read when it first came out. Now, she's going through her own depression and so she finally gets it.Do you take any mood stabilizer(s) with the Cymbalta? Did you have anergic depression or lack of motivation as one of your problems? I'm wondering if Cymbalta would work for motivation. I started it briefly but found the side effects too hard to function on at the time.
K
Posted by partlycloudy on November 17, 2004, at 5:06:08
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » partlycloudy, posted by KaraS on November 16, 2004, at 1:00:47
No mood stabilizer, but I also take Wellbutrin, which counters the sedating effects of the AD, Ambien to sleep, and a small dose of Xanax. For some reason my p-doc didn't want to put me on a mood stabilizer. My understanding is that they help with the manic part? Maybe that's why.
Posted by KaraS on November 19, 2004, at 16:30:29
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon, posted by partlycloudy on November 17, 2004, at 5:06:08
> No mood stabilizer, but I also take Wellbutrin, which counters the sedating effects of the AD, Ambien to sleep, and a small dose of Xanax. For some reason my p-doc didn't want to put me on a mood stabilizer. My understanding is that they help with the manic part? Maybe that's why.
Obviously that was the right thing because you're doing fine now. I'm always glad to hear when people find things that work for them. Hopefully, my day will come too.-K
Posted by Noa on November 20, 2004, at 9:50:10
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » Noa, posted by KaraS on November 13, 2004, at 17:53:17
Kara,
I have not read much more since I posted!! This is because I tend to have periods of time when I read a lot and periods of time when I have a hard time focusing on reading.
I did cry while reading some of it, too. It spoke to me. It seems like the kind of book one need not read all at once, but read some and come back to it another time.
Thanks for reminding me, though!! :)
Posted by KaraS on November 21, 2004, at 1:22:26
In reply to Re: Noonday Demon » KaraS, posted by Noa on November 20, 2004, at 9:50:10
> Kara,
>
> I have not read much more since I posted!! This is because I tend to have periods of time when I read a lot and periods of time when I have a hard time focusing on reading.
>
> I did cry while reading some of it, too. It spoke to me. It seems like the kind of book one need not read all at once, but read some and come back to it another time.
>
> Thanks for reminding me, though!! :)
"It spoke to me." I think that sums it all up.Kara
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