Shoot the Damn Dog: A Memoir of Depression

This is an amazing account of the author's depression. Her depression was a very deep persistent depression, seemingly incurable.There was no single incident that started her slide to depression. She describes her feelings and treatments and the insights she developed.Many treatment methods were used for her, but she seemed resistant. However, gradually, it was a few consistent friendships, one made in a treatment faciity, that basically allowed her to develop enough confidence to eventually follow through on some treatments including a 12-Step program and medications.The reason EVERYONE should read this is that everyone knows someone who is depressed. And even if we have been depressed and "gotten over it" we may forget what it was like or believe the person can recover as we did or just MUST take the medications, or just "get a grip." In persistent cases we just do not know what to do and feel helpless. However this book shows you what the depressive person is going through, and that if we can remain a loyal friend despite the fact that the person stays depressed we ARE helping.In her discussion of the 12-Step program the author analyzes her understanding of a "higher power" and "god as we understand him." This analysis can be useful the those who strongly believe in God and think that if only the depressed person would turn to God they would be healed. Well, a 12-step program may be useful, but perhaps not turning to our own concept of God and religious observance.This book should serve as a resource of hope for someone who is depressed. A depressed person can see how some of the treatments didn't work with the author,or didn't at first but eventually helped. Nevertheless she finally recovered anyway. She also discusses additional nutritional needs of a depressive person and the need to get out and exercise(a NECESSARY tool for recovery). There is much hope offered by this book because she did recover from her deep debilitating depression and has learned to take care of herself even though she still can be fragile from time to time.

I think Sally gives a good description of what a depressive deals with, the feelings, thoughts, struggles and the stigma of mental illness. I think she gives some good tips to non-depressives on how to interact with their friends who may have a mental illness. Depressives can be sensitive, but we are not unapproachable. I agree that not everyone responds to various treatments the same or at all. Depressives (and other people who truly deal with mental illness) have a lifetime of work to have what we consider a "normal" life. There are no cures and there are times that it seems hopeless. The only way to break the stigma is to tell the stories. I gave the book 4 stars only because it seemed to have a slow first half. Yes, at times it seems like she jumps around but there are writers that do so and that doesn't necessarily make it a bad book. Thanks for sharing your story Sally.

As a diagnosed clinical depression sufferer, I've done a lot of reading on the subject. This book has been useful to me, or at least given me a lot to think about.The book falls roughly into three parts. The first nine or so chapters describe in great detail what it feels like to be a "depressive". If you can't find the words (or energy) to explain it to friends or family, let them read that part. [Note: the author has/had it worse than I do. At least I haven't been hospitalized (yet).]The second phase is her opinions and theories as to how she became affected. This is the segment that has given me the most food for thought. Some of the things she points out are true for me and I didn't even know it, like a father with Asperger's. Gotta get a different therapist.The last couple of chapters explain what worked for her to keep the Black Dog outside the gate. She freely admits she's not prescribing or recommending anything, just detailing her own experience.

This brave, moving, and painfully candid memoir is both challenging and inspiring. Those who know the pain of depression will find the book to be a precious but tough-minded account of the author's illness and recovery. Throughout Brampton's illness, she never loses her black sense of humor, nor her ability to instruct fellow sufferers. As a result, the book is immensely useful, bluntly courageous, and highly descriptive of her searing attempt to rid herself of the darkness and reach "normalcy." As such, it is essential reading for anyone who has ever dealt with the incessant gloom brought about by depression.

For a person trying to wrap her head around what severe depression is, this book provided great insight. I have a daughter who is clinically depressed and this memoir really began to help me understand what she is facing. If I understand better, I can be supportive in a much more effective way -even if I can't do what my motherly instinct tells me. I can't make it all right. But I can be there in a meaningful way.

One of my favorite books ever. Treasured every word. The writer was transparent and honest and she suffered.

well written discourse on living with depression; very affecting. It took me a long time to read it in full, because sometimes I simply had to put it aside for a bit

I loved this book! I felt as though I was reading about my own life. The author was able to convey her feelings and emotions in such a way that sometimes I had to stop to make sure I was not the author! It is not often that a book like this can have an impact so deep but this certainly was for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is depressed, has been depressed, or friends and family of a depressive. It is a great book for those that don't understand depression to gain some insight into our world! Thank you to Ms. Brampton for sharing her raw and real account of her depression...you gave me hope that I will one day get to a place of peace and happiness like you!

I thought you might like to read a letter that Sally sent to me when I told her how much her book meant to me. I feel that a little bit of her should still be out here.*******Thank you so much taking the time to write. I am very pleased the book is helping. That's exactly why I wrote it - to try and reach out to other people who are suffering in the same way.Hideous illness. It's such a beautiful day and I'm still struggling to get out of the door. It's so difficult to explain to people why sunshine doesn't "cheer you up". Anyway I will get out for a brisk walk by the sea and hope my mood lifts.I love the idea of mooching around a shopping centre. Brilliant!! It gets you out and distracts you at the same time. I might just steal that idea and go and mooch around all the charity and vintage shops we have around hereAnd do write a play! Such a good idea and there is much black humour to be had in the subject. Did you see Ruby Wax's play? Excellent and she also did Q&A after the performance which got many people talking - including those who had never spoken about it beforeI hope today is a good day and thanks again for getting in touchSally

This is now classed as my forever book, to remind me what I went through myself, and to make sure I fight hard to stop myself going down the same road again. Sally Brampton completely unveils herself, every nook and cranny, and to read the end was so emotional and happy tears, just hoping that she is aware how much this book can help others. I wanted to let her know the next day and googled her for a website or fb page , only to be shocked and in tears to find out that a few months earlier it had all got too much and she had taken her life on her beloved beach. The way she writes is as though she becomes a friend, that you know her so well and identify so much with her that it took me (and many others from the news articles and tributes). Don't be put off reading it by that end result because there is so much to help in the book and just identifying with someone else going through similar feelings without having to talk out loud is priceless. I don't think I shall ever forget her.

I bought this book back in January while I was in the grips of an intense episide of anxiety and depression. At a time when, like Sally herself experienced, I couldn't focus enough to read. Having finally managed to read this honest and motivating memoir overy the past couple of weeks I am truly saddened to hear of her death, coinciding on the day I finished reading Shoot the Damn Dog. This book is for anyone who has experienced depression as well as anyone close to a sufferer or anyone at all who wants a really brutal, eloquent account of what it can feel like to live with depression. I cannot more highly recommended this book.

I read the book because my youngest son who is now 36 has had depression for years. I have always been there for him even though it is so heartbreaking to watch him battle with his demons ( that's his words ) I found the book very interesting especially the part about how the parents have such influence on out children's minds so I to take some responsibilities for his state of mind. The throat monster I know he has to so will get that sorted out. I am also very worried for the future as I only found out near the end of the book that Sally succeeded to end her life in the way my son talks about as he also did the paracetamol, vodka and sleeping tablets and was angry it did not workI thank her for this book as hopefully I can help my son a lot more now I understand what he is fighting.

I bought this when it was a Kindle deal of the day and it was 99p very well spent. I have a dear friend and a family member with depression and I wanted to read something that would help me respond to them with more understanding. I often felt I didn't know what to say when they talked about their illness and wanted to do better. I knew of Sally Brampton's journalism background and after reading the preview, I thought this would be a good starting point. The book doesn't claim to be a self-help book or complete guide to severe depression or how to cure it. It is a memoir, very painful at times, of the onset of severe depression, a search for help and the hard-won lessons that helped her to live with her illness. Reading this has made me less judgmental of others and I hope, more able to offer an appropriate response to anyone I know trying to cope with a depressive illness. For that alone, I'm pleased this book crossed my path.