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In It Together: Navigating Depression with Partners, Friends, and Family
Millions of people worldwide are coping with depression. Whether it' s you, a family member, a friend or a partner — odds are depression affects your life. Even so, many of us don' t know what to do when it hits someone we care about.JoEllen Notte challenges the preconceived notions that keep us from showing up for each other in a meaningful way and offers strategies for supporting each other and ourselves when depression comes calling. Challenging the notions that tell us "that's not my business" or "they probably don't want to talk about that," In It Together equips readers to navigate depression alongside the people they care about.Informed by interviews with over 200 people coping with depression and featuring practical tips and real-life examples, In it Together is an insightful and much-needed guidebook for people with depression and those who love them.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2023
18 people are currently reading
2106 people want to read
About the author
JoEllen Notte
4 books86 followersJoEllen Notte is a certified sex educator, writer, speaker, and mental health advocate. She blogs at The Redhead Bedhead and has been published by the BBC, Glamour, Bitch Media, xoJane, and Kinkly.
Her books include The Monster Under the Bed: Sex, Depression, and the Conversations We Aren't Having (2020) and In It Together: Navigating Depression with Partners, Friends, and Family (2023)
Her books include The Monster Under the Bed: Sex, Depression, and the Conversations We Aren't Having (2020) and In It Together: Navigating Depression with Partners, Friends, and Family (2023)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 9, 2023
Want to better understand how you can support a friend, partner, or family member who lives with depression? Read this book.
Want to help a friend, partner, or family member understand your depression better so it can stop driving a wedge between the two of you? Give them this book.
Depression can convincingly masquerade as mere sadness, tiredness, laziness, or apathy, and depressed people like myself often don't have the energy, confidence, and/or mental clarity to constantly set the record straight on the depression-related misconceptions held by people in their life. This book is the translation tool you need to help non-depressed people understand the depressive mindset better, so they can be more supportive, rather than being actively (or accidentally) harmful.
The advice given is clear, actionable, and thought-provoking, and it's written in a way that is easy to digest and often quite funny. If you've been hoping someone would hand you a manual labeled "the care and feeding of your depressed person," this is it.
Want to help a friend, partner, or family member understand your depression better so it can stop driving a wedge between the two of you? Give them this book.
Depression can convincingly masquerade as mere sadness, tiredness, laziness, or apathy, and depressed people like myself often don't have the energy, confidence, and/or mental clarity to constantly set the record straight on the depression-related misconceptions held by people in their life. This book is the translation tool you need to help non-depressed people understand the depressive mindset better, so they can be more supportive, rather than being actively (or accidentally) harmful.
The advice given is clear, actionable, and thought-provoking, and it's written in a way that is easy to digest and often quite funny. If you've been hoping someone would hand you a manual labeled "the care and feeding of your depressed person," this is it.
September 25, 2022
“In It Together: Navigating Depression with Partners, Friends and Family” by JoEllen Notte is essential reading for anyone who has a friend or loved one who suffers from depression. Depression is now considered a major cause of disability worldwide, affecting approximately 5% of adults. Much is assumed but too little is understood about this condition which can and too often does culminate in suicide.
JoEllen Notte provides a lucid and very topical wakeup call, not only to those whose friends and loved ones suffer from depression, but also to anyone who wants to better understand the condition. That she is an insider gives her the unique perspective of someone who lives with the disease, day in, day out and has done for many years. Not content with having personal experience however, Notte also bases her advice on thorough research, having conducted and collated several years of surveys and interviews with thousands of others living with depression through her blog The Redhead Bedhead. She possesses the rare skill of being able to address those on the outside with sensitivity, insight and humour. Unlike many “how-to” books, this one resonates with authenticity, real insight and practical suggestions.
So powerful and logical are her messages that they could equally be adapted for other situations where a friend or loved one is suffering (for example from bereavement, sudden bad news, health crisis, etc.) where you want desperately to offer help and support but don’t know how.
Notte doesn’t pull any punches in challenging assumptions, for example the often heard “it’s not my place” excuse for not reaching out or recommending that if positive support and help is beyond you, admit it and step away.
Even for those who may think they’re well versed in the condition, there is information here about the nature of depression that makes it clear there is more to understand. For example, the disease is not easily identifiable, it can vary from person to person and episode to episode, its effects are both physical and emotional and it isn’t necessarily only about sadness - “Sometimes depression isn’t so much the presence of unhappiness as much as it is the absence of, well everything” such as joy, hope, cheerfulness, optimism, purpose, etc.
It’s timely again that Notte highlights the ongoing stigma that society (even in the light of expanded knowledge and understanding) still associates with mental illness and how it’s often widely perceived even by members of the medical profession as not a “real” illness in the way that cancer, for example, is. It is a condition that’s all too easily written off as “all in the head”. Mental illness is seen by many of us as shameful, scary, something to be judged or laughed at.
There are so many gems of wisdom in here, but the standouts include what Notte calls “being in it together” or working as a team against the condition not the person, offer support and empathy, not advice or “solutions”, and many suggestions of constructive ways to help. Instead of offering platitudes, or open-ended “let me know if I can help” statements, stop and think what the person might really appreciate.
Even if you’re fortunate enough not to be one of those the book is designed to help, reading it will expand your understanding of the nature of mental illness and the not so simple art of behaving like a decent human being. A wonderful quote is “…the world would be a better place if we all cut each other some slack and assumed good intentions first …”
Thanks to the publisher, Thornapple Press, for providing me with an advance review copy.
JoEllen Notte provides a lucid and very topical wakeup call, not only to those whose friends and loved ones suffer from depression, but also to anyone who wants to better understand the condition. That she is an insider gives her the unique perspective of someone who lives with the disease, day in, day out and has done for many years. Not content with having personal experience however, Notte also bases her advice on thorough research, having conducted and collated several years of surveys and interviews with thousands of others living with depression through her blog The Redhead Bedhead. She possesses the rare skill of being able to address those on the outside with sensitivity, insight and humour. Unlike many “how-to” books, this one resonates with authenticity, real insight and practical suggestions.
So powerful and logical are her messages that they could equally be adapted for other situations where a friend or loved one is suffering (for example from bereavement, sudden bad news, health crisis, etc.) where you want desperately to offer help and support but don’t know how.
Notte doesn’t pull any punches in challenging assumptions, for example the often heard “it’s not my place” excuse for not reaching out or recommending that if positive support and help is beyond you, admit it and step away.
Even for those who may think they’re well versed in the condition, there is information here about the nature of depression that makes it clear there is more to understand. For example, the disease is not easily identifiable, it can vary from person to person and episode to episode, its effects are both physical and emotional and it isn’t necessarily only about sadness - “Sometimes depression isn’t so much the presence of unhappiness as much as it is the absence of, well everything” such as joy, hope, cheerfulness, optimism, purpose, etc.
It’s timely again that Notte highlights the ongoing stigma that society (even in the light of expanded knowledge and understanding) still associates with mental illness and how it’s often widely perceived even by members of the medical profession as not a “real” illness in the way that cancer, for example, is. It is a condition that’s all too easily written off as “all in the head”. Mental illness is seen by many of us as shameful, scary, something to be judged or laughed at.
There are so many gems of wisdom in here, but the standouts include what Notte calls “being in it together” or working as a team against the condition not the person, offer support and empathy, not advice or “solutions”, and many suggestions of constructive ways to help. Instead of offering platitudes, or open-ended “let me know if I can help” statements, stop and think what the person might really appreciate.
Even if you’re fortunate enough not to be one of those the book is designed to help, reading it will expand your understanding of the nature of mental illness and the not so simple art of behaving like a decent human being. A wonderful quote is “…the world would be a better place if we all cut each other some slack and assumed good intentions first …”
Thanks to the publisher, Thornapple Press, for providing me with an advance review copy.
January 1, 2024
Rating 4.5
Can’t believed I finished a book to reach my goal. This was really good and super informative but in a narrative way. I also liked the clips of people speaking from personal experience.
My favorite line was when someone is going through a crisis you can ask them “Do you need Empathy, strategy, distraction, or space?”
Empathy-listening ear
Strategy-advice
Distraction-new topic or activity
Space-Time alone
I hope to try to implement this with friends and family.
Can’t believed I finished a book to reach my goal. This was really good and super informative but in a narrative way. I also liked the clips of people speaking from personal experience.
My favorite line was when someone is going through a crisis you can ask them “Do you need Empathy, strategy, distraction, or space?”
Empathy-listening ear
Strategy-advice
Distraction-new topic or activity
Space-Time alone
I hope to try to implement this with friends and family.
June 26, 2024
This book is an amazing guide for understanding and supporting a partner, family or friends with depression. The author does such a wonderful job at combining clinical insights with personal stories making the topic extremely relatable. I really liked that the book also offers strategies for maintaining open communication, balancing self-care, and supporting your partner through daily challenges. This compassionate guide has definitely enhanced my understanding making it a must read for anyone affected by depression.
Also on another note I LOVED that the author added pronouns of the people interviewed in this book!!
Also on another note I LOVED that the author added pronouns of the people interviewed in this book!!
December 8, 2022
Thank you to the publisher Thornapple Press for a direct review copy.
Essential reading for anyone who has experienced depression or has a friend or loved one who suffers from it.. so that's basically everyone! This book really is for everyone because we need everyone in this fight. It's said that one in three women and one in five men experience major depression at some point in their lives. The author included.
She urges people to stop making assumptions about people's mental health and get a bit uncomfortable and honest. Let's stop trying to make depression go away to be more comfortable or to not have to deal with others' pain. Let's educate ourselves and put the crappy meaningless offers of “ you know i'm always here for you” in the bin and consider how we can really show up for people we love.
Notte offers suggestions for how to support a friend or loved one who is suffering and how to navigate it if you don't have the capacity to support. For anyone lucky enough to have not experienced it, Notte offers clear explanations that get across that depression is not just a case of feeling sad. And she knows. She shares her own experience through the book but this is not a purely personal account . There are years of research put into this book and it shows. I'd not heard of her blog before but what a great use of her platform to interview such a range of people suffering from depression.
In the times of "be kind" and "it's ok to not be okay" which have just become cliches, I was really glad to read someone addressing the ongoing stigma attached to mental illness. This needed to be said. Mental illness is real and continues to cause a lot of shame for people suffering.
We have to be “ in it together” and remember that depression is the condition not the person. We need to be able to offer empathy instead of advice or “solutions,” which as a trainee counsellor really resonated with me. If more people understood how to be empathetic and really listen to understand, I'm convinced we would not be in the mental health crisis we are.
Essential reading for anyone who has experienced depression or has a friend or loved one who suffers from it.. so that's basically everyone! This book really is for everyone because we need everyone in this fight. It's said that one in three women and one in five men experience major depression at some point in their lives. The author included.
She urges people to stop making assumptions about people's mental health and get a bit uncomfortable and honest. Let's stop trying to make depression go away to be more comfortable or to not have to deal with others' pain. Let's educate ourselves and put the crappy meaningless offers of “ you know i'm always here for you” in the bin and consider how we can really show up for people we love.
Notte offers suggestions for how to support a friend or loved one who is suffering and how to navigate it if you don't have the capacity to support. For anyone lucky enough to have not experienced it, Notte offers clear explanations that get across that depression is not just a case of feeling sad. And she knows. She shares her own experience through the book but this is not a purely personal account . There are years of research put into this book and it shows. I'd not heard of her blog before but what a great use of her platform to interview such a range of people suffering from depression.
In the times of "be kind" and "it's ok to not be okay" which have just become cliches, I was really glad to read someone addressing the ongoing stigma attached to mental illness. This needed to be said. Mental illness is real and continues to cause a lot of shame for people suffering.
We have to be “ in it together” and remember that depression is the condition not the person. We need to be able to offer empathy instead of advice or “solutions,” which as a trainee counsellor really resonated with me. If more people understood how to be empathetic and really listen to understand, I'm convinced we would not be in the mental health crisis we are.
November 9, 2024
Huge red flag: Do not get this book if your loved one is dealing with postpartum depression. No mention of it is made in the book, and no interviewee out of the 'hundreds' has mentioned this.
Postpartum Depression might appear out of nowhere (at least that’s my experience, as someone living with a partner suffering from postpartum depression) and the part in the book tells you to reconsider your relationship with someone who has depression.
That's right.
Also no mention of how to deal with children present in this relationship, and all the lifestyle changes (and responsibilities) attached to that. The author, focusing on herself for most of the book, may maybe right for leaving out stuff she doesn't have experience with. Just know what you're getting into.
There is also zero advice on how to manage yourself when your partner friend or colleague has depression. Yeah, the book states you have to take care of yourself as well - but it doesn't get into the how, or presenting common issues of imbalance of the relationship within that structure.
What does exist is a lot of hate towards other literature that has some negative things to say about people with depression and how to protect themselves from it. It is tiring. Is the target audience for the book people who suffer from depression and need validation? No.
---
Technical notes:
The book could have used more editing. Numerous times, a story or even a phrase is told in two chapters or even two paragraphs in a row (separated by different chapters).
This book was made for the author to read out loud to her fans. It uses the phrases "tell me if you heard this one before", "here's the thing (though)" and "enter - X" in every chapter. Bleh.
Postpartum Depression might appear out of nowhere (at least that’s my experience, as someone living with a partner suffering from postpartum depression) and the part in the book tells you to reconsider your relationship with someone who has depression.
That's right.
Also no mention of how to deal with children present in this relationship, and all the lifestyle changes (and responsibilities) attached to that. The author, focusing on herself for most of the book, may maybe right for leaving out stuff she doesn't have experience with. Just know what you're getting into.
There is also zero advice on how to manage yourself when your partner friend or colleague has depression. Yeah, the book states you have to take care of yourself as well - but it doesn't get into the how, or presenting common issues of imbalance of the relationship within that structure.
What does exist is a lot of hate towards other literature that has some negative things to say about people with depression and how to protect themselves from it. It is tiring. Is the target audience for the book people who suffer from depression and need validation? No.
---
Technical notes:
The book could have used more editing. Numerous times, a story or even a phrase is told in two chapters or even two paragraphs in a row (separated by different chapters).
This book was made for the author to read out loud to her fans. It uses the phrases "tell me if you heard this one before", "here's the thing (though)" and "enter - X" in every chapter. Bleh.
March 17, 2023
Excellent!
A compassionate and entertaining, extremely practical and helpful guide to supporting people who live with depression.
Depression is hard hard hard when you are with it in your own body. It's also hard to know how to relate to and support a loved one who is in it - even if you've known depression yourself.
Now, imagine someone offers you a manual chock-full of actionable advice. This is it!
A guide that will make you laugh and gasp with recognition and will give you a little more confidence in this, often lonely, minefield. A (self-)help guide that isn't bossy yet is super-clear, that never outstays its welcome or gets repetitive.
Favourite chapter: Things Not To Say (and Things To Say Instead)
A compassionate and entertaining, extremely practical and helpful guide to supporting people who live with depression.
Depression is hard hard hard when you are with it in your own body. It's also hard to know how to relate to and support a loved one who is in it - even if you've known depression yourself.
Now, imagine someone offers you a manual chock-full of actionable advice. This is it!
A guide that will make you laugh and gasp with recognition and will give you a little more confidence in this, often lonely, minefield. A (self-)help guide that isn't bossy yet is super-clear, that never outstays its welcome or gets repetitive.
Favourite chapter: Things Not To Say (and Things To Say Instead)
May 1, 2023
An excellent, helpful, necessary read for people who know someone with depression, and for people who have depression. I think that encompasses everyone, then lol.
Lots of insightful tidbits including actionable items and things to say (& maybe even more importantly- things not to say). An easily digestible how to manual that somehow doesn’t feel oppressive or depressing, despite the subject matter.
Lots of insightful tidbits including actionable items and things to say (& maybe even more importantly- things not to say). An easily digestible how to manual that somehow doesn’t feel oppressive or depressing, despite the subject matter.
June 19, 2023
DNF audiobook at 68%
Some parts of this book had me nodding in agreement, some had me shaking my head, agitated.
There is some helpful advice, but not all of it is agreeable to me personally. Lots of two cents in this book, I’m sure no one cares about mine.
Some parts of this book had me nodding in agreement, some had me shaking my head, agitated.
There is some helpful advice, but not all of it is agreeable to me personally. Lots of two cents in this book, I’m sure no one cares about mine.
December 1, 2024
I'll start with general criticism... there was just too much reading for way too small an impact. It was challenging to persevere to the end. It was the opposite of how I feel when I read a great book. I was hoping for some aha's or super helpful nuggets for supporting a family member with depression. I was also hoping to find a helpful resource for this person and for their spouse. I wanted to help curate great books since I know this person doesn't have time to search for the perfect self-help depression book. I put a hold on The Comfort Book, and am about to read The Hilarious World of Depression. That being said, what follows are the best takeaways (Chapter 10 was great!).
I liked the idea of "Ring Theory"... someone experiencing hard things is at the center of concentric rings... the rings going outward represent people closest to you to those who are a less integral part of your life. Being in the outer circles, you don't vent or dump on anyone closer to the center of the ring than yourself, you only offer support... "comfort in, dump out." I found that to be a useful concept.
Another thing I liked was the idea that perfect is the enemy of good. I find that to be personally hard when I put my best effort into something and the result is really good, but someone offers a suggestion to make it better. It shows great insensitivity, ingratitude, and just plain bad manners. That's how I feel in the kitchen when I spend a lot of time preparing food, and I'm a confident and capable cook. But someone who I won't name will say something like, "This would be really good if you added... xyz." And I'm not always super gracious about it. I mean, come on, I just spent 1-2 hours making a good dinner that already had 10-20 ingredients... So that's how a lot of things in life are, a bunch of effort with imperfect results. We need to not rain on our own or anyone else's parade. We need to recognize effort and feel and express gratitude. So, I hope the author knows that even though my rating is low, I appreciate her effort and my best takeaways from the time she took to write the book.
Lastly I thought the Cheat Sheet chapter at the end of the book was great... things from the cheat sheet follow:
I like the suggestions of things to say... (in the book they are compared with what not to say:
I'm here to listen... You get to be where you are... I believe in you... I enjoy spending time with you... Do you want to tell me more?... I would like to do X for you on Xday, let me know if that's not okay... Are you looking for suggestions?
I also liked the list of things to do (compared with not to do):
Send food... Help with chores... Offer to accompany on errands...Take something off their to-do list... Help them seek treatment... Send links they would like... Make a playlist... Make them art... Send cozy or luxurious gifts...
I like the ideas for texts:
GIFs... cute animal pics... You've been on my mind... When you're up to it, I'd like to catch up...
I like the ideas for voice messages:
If you'd like company, I'm available, no talking required... Sending a hug... You're awesome... Remember this?... Love you.
I hope this review is helpful.
I liked the idea of "Ring Theory"... someone experiencing hard things is at the center of concentric rings... the rings going outward represent people closest to you to those who are a less integral part of your life. Being in the outer circles, you don't vent or dump on anyone closer to the center of the ring than yourself, you only offer support... "comfort in, dump out." I found that to be a useful concept.
Another thing I liked was the idea that perfect is the enemy of good. I find that to be personally hard when I put my best effort into something and the result is really good, but someone offers a suggestion to make it better. It shows great insensitivity, ingratitude, and just plain bad manners. That's how I feel in the kitchen when I spend a lot of time preparing food, and I'm a confident and capable cook. But someone who I won't name will say something like, "This would be really good if you added... xyz." And I'm not always super gracious about it. I mean, come on, I just spent 1-2 hours making a good dinner that already had 10-20 ingredients... So that's how a lot of things in life are, a bunch of effort with imperfect results. We need to not rain on our own or anyone else's parade. We need to recognize effort and feel and express gratitude. So, I hope the author knows that even though my rating is low, I appreciate her effort and my best takeaways from the time she took to write the book.
Lastly I thought the Cheat Sheet chapter at the end of the book was great... things from the cheat sheet follow:
I like the suggestions of things to say... (in the book they are compared with what not to say:
I'm here to listen... You get to be where you are... I believe in you... I enjoy spending time with you... Do you want to tell me more?... I would like to do X for you on Xday, let me know if that's not okay... Are you looking for suggestions?
I also liked the list of things to do (compared with not to do):
Send food... Help with chores... Offer to accompany on errands...Take something off their to-do list... Help them seek treatment... Send links they would like... Make a playlist... Make them art... Send cozy or luxurious gifts...
I like the ideas for texts:
GIFs... cute animal pics... You've been on my mind... When you're up to it, I'd like to catch up...
I like the ideas for voice messages:
If you'd like company, I'm available, no talking required... Sending a hug... You're awesome... Remember this?... Love you.
I hope this review is helpful.
December 27, 2024
Not what I thought I was getting. The author is not a mental health or medical professional or in any type of counseling position, but is someone who has depression. I was looking for a book by a mental health professional but picked this up instead because it is written from the perspective of someone with depression. Unfortunately it was extremely redundant and contradictory and I walked away with the impression I am supposed to just know what my depressed friend needs though they are unable to communicate it. There were a few questions suggested that I felt will be helpful, but overall I would not recommend this book. She openly talks about resenting people who didn’t respond well in her tough times but doesn’t really acknowledge how hard it would be for that person to do exactly what she needed every single time. She says mental illnesses can’t be used as an excuse for not taking accountability but then uses it for one. There is also a section that says basically if you don’t know how to help a depressed person, leave the relationship. If you are in a relationship committed whether in sickness or health, you will not leave just because your spouse is sick. You have to learn new ways to love that person, and I think there should be grace on both sides as you figure that out. The next book I read on depression I will definitely seek out something written by a mental health/medical professional. Also author is extremely left wing, which is fine, but just something to consider if a potential reader sees this review.
May 3, 2025
Some of the reviews on here are surprising to me. One gave two stars and praised almost everything about a whole chapter. Here is why I'm giving it a 5-star review:
I've been searching for useful resources for a long time. Much of what is talked about in this book I have learned the hard way. If a decade ago I had the understanding of Depression conveyed by the author, my relationships could have been stronger, and I could have figured out how to be on the same team earlier. It feels like a really good primer on what the depressed person in one's life might be experiencing, and sheds light on how to avoid some major mistakes one might make in trying to support them.
One reviewer noted that Postpartum Depression is not addressed, but said that is a red flag. I disagree on the red flag but, but they're correct in that there is no mention of it. Based on my extremely limited personal experience, PPD would demand its own book dedicated to that completely different kind of depression. If you're looking specifically for resources on Postpartum Depression, this is not the book for you.
There are a few edits I would make, but they would add to the literary quality as opposed to the content and ideas the author tries to convey. I will recommend this book to anyone supporting someone with Depression to quickly catch them up on the decades of hard-earned lessons I've accumulated.
I've been searching for useful resources for a long time. Much of what is talked about in this book I have learned the hard way. If a decade ago I had the understanding of Depression conveyed by the author, my relationships could have been stronger, and I could have figured out how to be on the same team earlier. It feels like a really good primer on what the depressed person in one's life might be experiencing, and sheds light on how to avoid some major mistakes one might make in trying to support them.
One reviewer noted that Postpartum Depression is not addressed, but said that is a red flag. I disagree on the red flag but, but they're correct in that there is no mention of it. Based on my extremely limited personal experience, PPD would demand its own book dedicated to that completely different kind of depression. If you're looking specifically for resources on Postpartum Depression, this is not the book for you.
There are a few edits I would make, but they would add to the literary quality as opposed to the content and ideas the author tries to convey. I will recommend this book to anyone supporting someone with Depression to quickly catch them up on the decades of hard-earned lessons I've accumulated.
August 31, 2023
I am someone who never highlights/underlines/writes in a book and as I started reading through the chapters, I picked up a pencil and started underlining and noting page numbers. I wanted to share two that stuck with me:
"Depression is a peculiar beast."
"Depression is like a hurricane: when it floods a town, it's not about fault, it's about getting people through it."
I read this in less than 24 hours, I did not want to put it down. This author is transparent and genuine as she shares her own journey, as well as, stories she has collected. I admired her honesty.
It is set up with easily digestable chapters containing relevant informationand steps to take. It helped me recognize behaviours that appear to be helpful but that can be hurtful. I learned a great deal and will definitely be referring back to this often. If you have ever had depression or know anyone who does, this book is invaluable. It clearly defines that what works for one will not work for all but instead gathers ideas in one easy, accessible place.
I plan to sit with this one for a little while but will happily be diving into the author's first book, The Monster Under the Bed soon!
A big thank you to the author for creating this book and to ThornApple Press for my gifted copy.
"Depression is a peculiar beast."
"Depression is like a hurricane: when it floods a town, it's not about fault, it's about getting people through it."
I read this in less than 24 hours, I did not want to put it down. This author is transparent and genuine as she shares her own journey, as well as, stories she has collected. I admired her honesty.
It is set up with easily digestable chapters containing relevant informationand steps to take. It helped me recognize behaviours that appear to be helpful but that can be hurtful. I learned a great deal and will definitely be referring back to this often. If you have ever had depression or know anyone who does, this book is invaluable. It clearly defines that what works for one will not work for all but instead gathers ideas in one easy, accessible place.
I plan to sit with this one for a little while but will happily be diving into the author's first book, The Monster Under the Bed soon!
A big thank you to the author for creating this book and to ThornApple Press for my gifted copy.
October 19, 2024
Oh wow!! Finally a book that actually explains and represents depression accurately!! This book took me a while to finish and it’s not because it was bad or slow… ironically, it is because my sweet sweet friend… who I like to call depression demon… they decided to read along with me which made it difficult to read. Some of y’all might understand that:) I truly felt validated and seen while reading this book. Shoutout to my amazing and beautiful partner who found this book and told me she didn’t want to see me face my depression demon alone and wanted to learn everything about depression so that she may support and understand me:’) please please please read this if you experience depression or have a loved one that has their own depression demon, very very helpful!!
Also loveeedddd the diversity in this book. All genders, sexualities, cultures, etc. were interviewed and put into this book! With pronouns!! And other descriptions!! How cool!! Anyways, go read :)
Also loveeedddd the diversity in this book. All genders, sexualities, cultures, etc. were interviewed and put into this book! With pronouns!! And other descriptions!! How cool!! Anyways, go read :)
December 26, 2023
el tema de navegar relaciones y como pedir/ofrecer ayuda siguen siendo tabu. Posts de instagram y opiniones parecen ser los únicos recursos en internet para un tema que destruye y debilita las relaciones.
Este libro comparte a partir del capitulo 7 consejos y herramientas útiles para apoyar y entender la experiencia de otros y la propia.
Es cierto que apoyar a alguien es incomodo, difícil y pese a tener una buena intención muchas veces lo que hacemos es contraproducente.
Este libro es un GRaN lugar para reflexionar que hacer y no hacer cuando alguien que amas tiene depresión o cuando tu estas en un período depresivo. Lo recomiendo 100%
Este libro comparte a partir del capitulo 7 consejos y herramientas útiles para apoyar y entender la experiencia de otros y la propia.
Es cierto que apoyar a alguien es incomodo, difícil y pese a tener una buena intención muchas veces lo que hacemos es contraproducente.
Este libro es un GRaN lugar para reflexionar que hacer y no hacer cuando alguien que amas tiene depresión o cuando tu estas en un período depresivo. Lo recomiendo 100%
September 1, 2023
This book is one of the most helpful books I have ever read. The information is insightful and thoughtful.
Everyone should read it because either we are suffering from depression or know someone who does.
A little more insight and understanding can go a long way in maintaining relationships through the rough patches. This book provides the guidance I think could benefit us all.
Everyone should read it because either we are suffering from depression or know someone who does.
A little more insight and understanding can go a long way in maintaining relationships through the rough patches. This book provides the guidance I think could benefit us all.
October 28, 2024
Helpful and eye-opening. Definitely provided a lot of new reflections for me. At times it felt a bit confrontational with the examples of random tweets and etc. Beware that it was not written by a mental health professional.
July 31, 2023
A great resource!
May 17, 2024
Especially liked the cheat sheet in the back. Thanks for writing this.
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