I read this years ago - scenes from it still illuminate my understanding of depression. This says something about the vividness of the writing and clarity of its honesty. ( )

The diary of Martha's 2 year battle with extreme depression. She try many different meds and therapy, all while still working. Finally she goes through ECT and slowly gets better. Very well written and easy to read. ( )

I don't often read memoirs, and this one has a few problems similar to others (e.g., stories that don't directly relate to the central narrative, too many characters to keep straight). However, it offers a personal and excellent view into the mind of someone severely depressed. It can certainly help people understand how to treat and act around a depressed person, and I imagine it can help give hope to depressed people by showing how she lived through it. ( )

A therapist journey in to and out of the dark side where so many of her clients reside. Told through her journal. Very good. ( )

About: Written in the form of dated entries, clinical psychologist and psychology professor Manning tells of her almost 2 year battle with a severe bout of depression.

Pros: Very quick read. When I sat down to read it, I usually ending up reading it for longer than I had planned. Well written. Some of the best descriptions of the feelings of depression since Styron's Darkness Visible.

Cons: Her introspection, description and analysis work well when she's focusing on depression but there was a bit too much material about spirituality, religion and poetry for me.

Grade: B+ ( )