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Journeys with the Black Dog: Inspirational Stories of Bringing Depression to Heel
Ideal for sufferers, caregivers, and loved ones searching for answers, this collection of empowering personal accounts describes the early symptoms and various forms of depression, the path to diagnosis, and the confusion and frustration that can result from attempting to keep it at bay. Revealing the hardships of grappling with a depressive disorder, it emphasizes unique methods of control through regular diet and exercise. Oscillating between humor and gut-wrenching poignancy, these compelling life stories entrust readers with a key message—while depression may not be curable, it can be managed.
300 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 17, 2017
I stumbled upon this book in a rather difficult time of my life, suffering with the black dog myself, I found this book extremely easy to get into and relate to. It's reassuring to know personally, that when you're suffering, you are not alone. This book is so important because it describes for us, -
the readers - how we truly feel. There is an fog – brain fog and sometimes that can make you feel isolated in your own personal form of hell, it's like being locked in with your mind and it's hard to physically be in your own head and this book relates and connects with that.
Its so easy to feel alone with depression, especially in the young generation (again speaking personally) where everything is seemingly dandy to so many, some of us slip through the loop and fall into the darkness.
This is an inspirational book. I rented it from the library but it's won a place on my shelf, permanently. Mainly, because it taught me how to cope with the black dog and how to tame it in periods of difficulty. Depression knows no boundaries, it doesn't care if you have it all, what gender you are or what age. I think it is very educational, and would benefit from anyone, sufferer or general reader to pick up and read.
It allows you to change your perception based on how you perceive the black dog, and how others can see this illness too. That depression is not this dirty little secret, it's well known, hundreds of people suffer with it, it's not different from a physical illness. In this book: useful strategies have been developed which is really encouraging to me.
The presentation of the book, which was broken up in parts was also really helpful for me, as it made it feel like it was small chunks of information rather than massive amounts, which is really too much when your mind is compromised.
the readers - how we truly feel. There is an fog – brain fog and sometimes that can make you feel isolated in your own personal form of hell, it's like being locked in with your mind and it's hard to physically be in your own head and this book relates and connects with that.
Its so easy to feel alone with depression, especially in the young generation (again speaking personally) where everything is seemingly dandy to so many, some of us slip through the loop and fall into the darkness.
This is an inspirational book. I rented it from the library but it's won a place on my shelf, permanently. Mainly, because it taught me how to cope with the black dog and how to tame it in periods of difficulty. Depression knows no boundaries, it doesn't care if you have it all, what gender you are or what age. I think it is very educational, and would benefit from anyone, sufferer or general reader to pick up and read.
It allows you to change your perception based on how you perceive the black dog, and how others can see this illness too. That depression is not this dirty little secret, it's well known, hundreds of people suffer with it, it's not different from a physical illness. In this book: useful strategies have been developed which is really encouraging to me.
The presentation of the book, which was broken up in parts was also really helpful for me, as it made it feel like it was small chunks of information rather than massive amounts, which is really too much when your mind is compromised.
February 9, 2008
This book arose as the result of a writing competition in 2006 when sufferers of mood disorders, their families and friends where invited to write about living with depression. The competition attracted many entries, and the pieces written by the prize winners were exceptional. Those of us who had excerpts of our entries published received a copy of the book.
Personally, I find the book inspirational. Reading through the anonymous excerpts really helps, and reading my own reminds me that journeys are never really completed.
Personally, I find the book inspirational. Reading through the anonymous excerpts really helps, and reading my own reminds me that journeys are never really completed.
March 9, 2011
Borrowed from Library for coursework project.
August 11, 2022
Real Rating = 3.5/5
Overall, this book is quite special and I feel that it could be a helpful resource for anyone dealing with a proverbial 'black dog' themselves. I think what makes this book successful is its authenticity - you get accounts from 600+ people who have dealt with a mood disorder, and their insight and advice never feels preachy or trite.
My only issue was that some of the passages could be quite long (over multiple pages) and I found that such entries made me kinda lose focus and my mind would start wandering.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed!
Overall, this book is quite special and I feel that it could be a helpful resource for anyone dealing with a proverbial 'black dog' themselves. I think what makes this book successful is its authenticity - you get accounts from 600+ people who have dealt with a mood disorder, and their insight and advice never feels preachy or trite.
My only issue was that some of the passages could be quite long (over multiple pages) and I found that such entries made me kinda lose focus and my mind would start wandering.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed!
July 30, 2018
A number of people recount their experiences with depression.
I found this a difficult book to get into, but some of the contributions were profound / moving. My one quibble with this book (as the authors noted) is that the contributions were all from people who functioned well enough to write a piece.
If you have experienced depression (or know someone who has) this book is worth looking at.
I found this a difficult book to get into, but some of the contributions were profound / moving. My one quibble with this book (as the authors noted) is that the contributions were all from people who functioned well enough to write a piece.
If you have experienced depression (or know someone who has) this book is worth looking at.
July 3, 2020
This book is a collection of stories written by people who live with depression. They share their journey from being diagnosed to learning how to cope with it. It is insightful, moving and gives a reader a better understanding of the disease.
I recommend it to everyone who suffers from the depression, think they might be depressed or have anyone in their close circle who is struggling with a mood disorder.
I recommend it to everyone who suffers from the depression, think they might be depressed or have anyone in their close circle who is struggling with a mood disorder.
January 14, 2021
A lovely compilation of various lived stories surrounding the topic of mental health. The editing in this book was minimal but impactful - setting a tone for each section of the book, which helped weave the individual snippets into a larger story.
A very good read for anyone who lives or lived with mental health - whether in themselves or as a carer.
A very good read for anyone who lives or lived with mental health - whether in themselves or as a carer.
September 24, 2019
An invaluable read for someone who has a family member dealing with this and also to help oneself to not be dragged into the same with them
November 6, 2019
Superb
A book that screams out - You are not alone. A really useful book that I found myself in. It needs to be better distributed.
A book that screams out - You are not alone. A really useful book that I found myself in. It needs to be better distributed.
February 13, 2017
A mirror book bringing clarity and hope
I have just finished reading this wonderful book but I know I will open it every now and then ,especially when I will try to tame again my black dog. This book gave me the proof that depression is something that happens to many of us,no matter gender,age,education or character..it told me that I can just be but that I also need to have patience and plan a way of dealing with my black dog....it told me how some people's life changed into beauty too or how outsiders see this illness..mainly it reminded me that THIS TOO WILL PASS
I have just finished reading this wonderful book but I know I will open it every now and then ,especially when I will try to tame again my black dog. This book gave me the proof that depression is something that happens to many of us,no matter gender,age,education or character..it told me that I can just be but that I also need to have patience and plan a way of dealing with my black dog....it told me how some people's life changed into beauty too or how outsiders see this illness..mainly it reminded me that THIS TOO WILL PASS
November 28, 2014
I am immensely grateful for this.
As a young person who has been battling with the black dog all my life, I have found this book to be revelatory and encouraging.
I identify with so many of these thoughts and feelings that at times it felt like the words came directly from me. I cried a few times and then read it again cover to cover.
This book is important mainly because it describes what some of us have difficulty saying because of the enveloping fog, and it reminds us that although we all feel isolated in our own personal hell, we are not alone.
There is hope.
As a young person who has been battling with the black dog all my life, I have found this book to be revelatory and encouraging.
I identify with so many of these thoughts and feelings that at times it felt like the words came directly from me. I cried a few times and then read it again cover to cover.
This book is important mainly because it describes what some of us have difficulty saying because of the enveloping fog, and it reminds us that although we all feel isolated in our own personal hell, we are not alone.
There is hope.
April 24, 2016
If you've ever had one bad day, let alone recuring ones, this collection of short pieces by sufferers of bipolar and depression is a good one to have on the shelf. Its not all doom and gloom, as most of the writers offer useful strategies for seeing a bad day through. For those with bipolar, its good to read about the things you thought you were the only one dealing with. For those poor 98% who missed out, he's a chance for an insight from a users perspective rather than Freud and Friends.
September 30, 2012
I usually really like reading books about mental health/mental illness. This one really dragged for me though. I'm not sure why. I honestly think the stories were each too short. I wanted more depth, more personality, I want to really get to know someone.
January 12, 2014
Some great stories in this book about how people have overcome depression. Shame it does not provide more of the fabulous work that the BDI has done on mood disorder research
April 21, 2014
Fantastic if you have or want to understand depression.
July 9, 2015
most of the stories were truly inspirational.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews