The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression

"On the positive side, the personal experience of the author's depression is daunting and even insightful (it may make anyone think twice about whether they really suffer from depression, compared to the extent of his illness). But I feel mislead: from the synopses and reviews I read, I expected more than an extended self-portrait. He could have condensed his own trauma into the introductory portion and spent more time with the "atlas" and "cross-cultural" analysis that is supposedly the focal point. It lost my interest quickly."
~ Written on 2008-08-01

"In this remarkable work, author Andrew Solomon offers an incredibly thorough and engrossing account of the landscape of depression. He skillfully manages to weave together a virtually endless supply of scientific knowledge and up-to-date information on depression statistics and literature with excepts taken from a seemingly tireless series of interviews with fellow depression sufferers. It is these anecdotal vignettes which make up the heart of the book, as Solomon completely captivates his readers with these often-moving accounts. Solomon opens by sharing his own story ("Breakdowns"); along the way, he holds nothing back as he describes just how devastating repeated episodes of a major depressive disorder can be.

Solomon is a writer, not a psychologist, but as a psychologist myself, I was impressed by his grasp of this material. I was particularly gratified to see that earlier on in the book he dispelled with the myth of certain types of depression being "chemical" imbalances whereas others are not; he correctly points out that all emotions, be it depression, happiness, or what have you, result in chemical changes in the brain. Furthermore, based on his own treatment history, Solomon shows great open-mindedness about the roles of both medication and therapy in the treatment of depression; he specifically points out that those who are treated with psychotherapy alone show the same biological changes as those treated with medication. These are just a few of the most salient issues which spoke to me, but Solomon's work is comprehensive, covering everything from the history of depression to depressed populations; providing an overview of treatment, including the role of addictions; offering perspectives on contributing factors such as poverty and politics; and leaving his readers with a sense of hope.

This book is neither a light nor an easy read, but it is definitely worth the effort. It is perhaps not suited to those who are currently in the midst of a depressive episode, but those who have been there and back are likely to relate completely, and those professionals who work with depression sufferers are likely to gain new empathy and insights. Highly recommended."
~ Written on 2008-07-03

"I looked forward to reading this book, but mainly found it unenlightening and if you're depressed, it certainly won't improve your mood. The author does nothing to look at clinical trial results of SSRIs and newer antidepressants that conclude 50% of people do not respond or the percentage responding is no better than placebo. Many therapists will tell you most people on SSRIs go from one drug to another with some relief but eventually none work or patients end up on multiple drug therapy that barely keeps the illness at bay. He also gives a dismissive account of cognitive behavioral therapy in the early pages of the book that does not do justice to this treatment. He doesn't even mention dialectic behavior therapy. Both CBT and DBT have strong evidence to support their use and that they provide lasting benefit beyond treatment. His dismissive posture towards St JohnsWort as possibly dangerous is baffling. Most European drs. would disagree with him. He reveals his bias for pharmaceuticals early on and lets us know that he's on a cocktail of pills that keep him functional--but you have to wonder. I do commend him for looking at depression in marginal populations. If you are looking for a book that puts depression in a cultural and societal context (as this book promises to do but doesn't) I'd recommend David Karp's book Speaking of Sadness, which is a little more academic but gives some insight into the meaning of depression, which Solomon's book does not."
~ Written on 2008-05-22

"For anyone living with chronic depression, this book is invalable. It is also my reccomendation that it be read by someone close to another who is suffering with depression, it will allow you to understand, without having depression yourself, what the depressed person is going through better than any other book I have ever read on the subject. If you have a loved one suffering with depression and don't understand why they "don't just pull themselves out of it and get back involved in life" read this book, even just the first few chapters and you will have an entirely new understanding of the depressed person."
~ Written on 2008-05-08

"This book hasn't yet (I'm about 2/3ds the way through) offered any cures, solutions, tips, or "magic bullets" for those of us suffering from depression. What it does offer is empathy. Solomon's description of being "afraid of showers" and how immobilized he was by his depression made me burst into tears - of relief. To know that I am not the only person who's ever felt this way -- to know that it's not something about me, personally, but something that another person can understand, has experienced, and can articulate much better than I have ever been able to -- was such a relief.

I do find myself envious of Solomon's support system -- depression has been very isolating for me, and my "support system" consists of those few toxic bonds I haven't yet severed, and one or two people who would certainly be helpful in an emergency, but not on a day-to-day or caretaking basis. I am also envious of his ability to find (with an effort)responsive doctors, and an insurance plan that apparently doesn't place limits on medication benefits. (I've been through every MH specialist enrolled in my insurance plan without finding a "fit," and now have to choose between suffering, or getting a second job to pay out of pocket for therapy with someone else. Further, many of his medication "cocktails" would not be covered by my insurance, and I'd have to sell a kidney or something.) I also found myself wondering what his outcome would have been if he'd been a single parent, like myself; if he'd lacked the extensive support system; or if he didn't have health insurance, like many people I know.

However, what's important to me is not comparing who's got it easier, but simply the knowledge that I AM NOT ALONE. There are many things Solomon mentions that, although I've heard them from doctors and mental health specialists over the years, didn't sink in until I was able to hear it from a fellow sufferer.

I highly recommend this for anyone who has suffered from long-term depression, or who has a friend or family member dealing with the disease. I would not advise reading it while in the depths of a "downswing" (likely to make it worse) nor on a really good and "up" day (likely to bum you out, or you may feel so distanced from "the demon" that you can't relate at that time).

BTW the book was recommended to me by a physician, who called it "the best book on the subject [he'd] ever read." "
~ Written on 2008-03-15