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Real Stories of Dealing with Depression

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Depression in urban India is something we are learning to talk about. But are we really having the conversations we need to? How will we defeat the stigma associated with mental illness in India without being completely open about some of our darkest times? And when we will learn that we are truly Not Alone in our struggle? Many have walked this path, and many have learned how to heal… though there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 
 
Ten brave first-person contributors share portions of their journey towards healing, stories that will resonate, move you and fill you with hope. Hear from mental health experts as well to find the answers to several How do you know if you’re depressed? Who should you seek out for help? And what should you say to people who claim that you should just shake off the blues? 
 

256 pages, Hardcover

Published July 8, 2019

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About the author

Amrita Tripathi

12 books4 followers
Amrita Tripathi is a novelist and freelance journalist based in New Delhi.

Amrita writes contemporary fiction, is interested in social commentary and the fault lines beneath our mega-cities, can be found at www.amritatripathi.com and as @amritat

With a shocking disregard for practical realities, Amrita is attempting to write her third novel, while battling the distractions of the web.

Amrita writes, dreams, thinks and speaks much too fast in English, speaks passable Hindi and Spanish, understands a little French and even less Oriya.

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill).
1,381 reviews3,722 followers
December 10, 2022
(Throwback review) If you are wondering why guys like Ryan Serhant and Erik Conover are so much ardent over Condominiums overlooking Central Park in NYC, please read this book because it gives you the Scientific explanation of it. In a Scientific study conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, they found out that large parks in the immediate neighborhood positively impact individuals' mental well-being with pre-existing chronic conditions and prevent Major Depression.

This book gives the message that depression is not a disease to be covered up. It doesn't reveal a person's weakness but his strength. It shows that you are a fighter, and you fought depression bravely to succeed in life. In every chapter, we can see the view of the patient and the therapist in separate sections The authors have made a special effort to remove the myths regarding depression and its treatment by providing a separate area in each chapter.

The book also discusses a vital topic in the current scenario: the relation between work from home and depression . This book has beautifully covered Post-Partum Depression. The best part of this book is the last one where some Medical studies are shared, which were not shared widely among the general audience before. According to WHO, more than 264 million people suffer from depression, which is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Books like this, if read at the right time, can save many among this 264 million.
12 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2022
Must read book on mental health

This book by Amrita Tripathi is a collection of stories of people who have dealt with or dealing with depression. It tries to bring to attention that mental health issues are not that uncommon and there is no reason to stigmatise it. It clubs together the account of a person who has experienced mental health issue followed by psychologist's comments on the story. It also tries to dispels the myth surrounding mental health issues. It is a must read for all to educate themselves on the subject. Also, for someone who feels they are suffering, do read it. It will be helpful.
Profile Image for Rakhi.
Author 2 books98 followers
January 15, 2021
When feeling sad or happy is not in anyone's control, it feels helpless. Tears flow without a reason but we would not be able to control them. Amidst the crowd, we feel alone and disoriented. What could it be Real stories of dealing with depression by Amrita Tripathi and Arpita Anand is a real account of a bunch of fighters who have defeated the monster of loneliness and fear. The book has included people from different walks of life and hence relatable to every reader.

Real Stories of Depression



When we hear it from the ones who survived, it gives strength to those who are fighting depression. It gives a raw hope to alight the flight of steps to a normal life. This is the highlight of Real Stories of Dealing with Depression.

There are accounts of people who have survived the terror with alternate medicine. This is a rare situation because often psychologists refrain from sharing such real examples. It's commendable.


Amidst the real experiences, there are a few write-ups as well by experts. It clearly demarcated depression from sadness. The book should be read by everyone irrespective of the history of mental illness because, this could be you and me in the future and if you are aware, helps comes early.



Profile Image for Sandeep.
279 reviews59 followers
September 27, 2021
Rating 2.75 / 5

This was one of the books which I purchased for the kindle based on the reviews on goodreads.

Certain parts of the book I liked, where actual people narrate their stories. These were real people came out with their stories with an intention that their experience would help others.

There are notes by actual professionals at the end of each chapter which emphasizes medical terminologies. There is a Q & A where people who have experienced depression give out suggestions as to what could be done better to manage the situation.

There is a certain point in time, post which the written stuff tends to get repetitive and stereotypical. About going to therapists, counsellors, about the negative sides or feelings one goes through while going through depression. I agree with everything written but reading them again and again across each chapter which take up considerable content, instead of stories by actual people made me a little bit uninterested. Hence the rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
March 7, 2023
This book is incredible as it has both lived experiences from people who have depression and case notes from psychologist Arpita Anand. So, we get the emotional as well as the clinical narrative. What's more, Anand is able to give her professional opinion without presuming to know the person's entire life story...as she should.

Interestingly, I wasn't particularly keen about the postpartum depression stories since that topic didn't concern me in any way. Or so I thought. When I did read them, I suspected that a close family member was possibly experiencing it at that moment in time. A quick conversation with her confirmed my doubts and I've been grateful to the authors ever since.
Profile Image for Pratiksha Rajopadhyaya.
13 reviews
February 17, 2021
Simple. Unfiltered. Honest.
With stories from diverse perspective about their experience with depression, this book delivers a broad view of what depression is, and how it can not be merged into one definition. It normalizes mental illness and talks about how in a society where "silence" is considered as brave, the actual courageous act is asking for help.
Profile Image for Mansi.
84 reviews10 followers
February 25, 2023
This book hit hard and hit home ♥️
I would have preferred to read more real life stories than data about this subject. It’s almost 30 pages wasted that we could have googled..
Profile Image for Sakshi Agarwal.
62 reviews
March 6, 2025
Sometimes, life’s greatest lessons come from the most unexpected places. This year, I decided to focus on my health and attended the Jaipur Literature Festival with that very intention.
Among the myriad of sessions, one caught my eye: "Pause, Rewind, Natural Anti-Aging Techniques" by Nawaz Modi Singhania, in conversation with Amrita Tripati. The way Amrita approached questions about mental health was nothing short of inspiring. Her perspective was fresh, her insights profound.
Curious and moved, I found myself picking up her book, "Real Stories of Dealing with Depression.". Last night, I binge-read this book—a rare occurrence for me. It’s been years since a book has captivated me to such an extent that I stopped only because the book ended.
I've already ordered her second book, "Young Mental Health," and I can't wait to dive in. To anyone interested in understanding depression a little bit better, I highly recommend giving these books a read. They offer not just information but also a sense of community and support.
Remember, there are people out there for you, and sometimes, the unexpected can lead us to the most meaningful insights.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews