Gas Smells Awful: The Mechanics Of Being A Nutcase

by Helen Razer

In 1998, Helen Razer, self-appointed critical thinker and electronic media nuisance, was forced to reassess her life when she found herself temporarily blinded and suffering incapacitating dizzy spells, hypervigilance, headaches and a whole gamut of other nut-churning symptoms associated with being hurled about in the anxiety and depression spin cycle.

Gas Smells Awful is an insightful and vitally important resource for those caring for someone struggling with a depressive illness. And is compulsory reading for those who should care, but don't - because of fear, ignorance or a feeling of helplessness.

At a time when mental illness and suicide - especially among young people - have reached alarming levels and need urgently to find their way onto the national agenda, Gas Smells Awful speaks bravely, honestly and optimistically to anyone trying to find a way through the torment of depression.

231 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

I write words. Generally, in exchange for money.

Reviews

[Helen Razer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written a long time ago, when I was a bit of an idiot.

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to read this as I used to love Helen Razer's sense of humour but I just couldn't keep at it. The reason that I could not read this book is that it deals with the subject of anxiety and depression - something that I have managed to beat into submission myself - and I just didnt want to remember how it felt...and Helen has this way of describing how it feels that is just waaaay too real for me to want to revisit in my current healthy state.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is most certainly not for everyone but it was certainly for me.

It was so refreshing to read a book that spoke the way so many of us feel - sick of people skirting around, a bit angry and just to the point.

Thanks Helen! I hope you’re well :)

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helen Razer's verbal gymnastics make it interesting to listen to her on the radio - but surprisingly, I found the same tendency to be really grating when reading her work.

I think this one is well-meaning, and is certainly well directed at younger people who might be suffering from depression, but overall, this one just didn't grab me.

[Jill Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up to read over the Christmas holidays but decided to put it on hold after reading the reviews and chose something I thought would be lighter and more enjoyable to read. Never again will I listen to other peoples negative reviews. Yes the book was written when Helen was younger but it is well written, shows her intellect and describes depression and anxiety well for those that are experiencing or caring for someone with a depressive illness. While the book was written in 1998 and published in 1999 - it is still valid, especially with mental illness such as anxiety and depression increasing. I was going to donate the book to a tiny library or charity group, but decided to give it a chance and ended up reading small chunks of the book over my Easter holidays. I decided to keep the book and share it with others if they are interested in finding out more.

[Jenna Vidal · Rating 1 out of 5]

What could have been an insightful and interestesting read was completely destroyed by this womans potty mouth. Ditched after 30 pages. There are plenty of places I could go to hear a barrage of this kind of language and my book is never going to be one of them.

Both unnessecary and unaccceptable