The Book
The Noonday Demon – An Atlas of Depression
Andrew Solomon
Scribner, 2003
What it’s about: A Summary
First of all, I have to say: the book is LONG. Very long. It took me maybe two months to read, but then I don’t have much time to read in the evenings after work. Despite it’s length, I highly recommend it.
As suggested in the title the book is an entire atlas of the disorder: providing insight into all relevant areas of context from a personal to a society-wide level. What the title doesn’t tell is how beautifully written it is.: “In depression, the meaninglessness of life itself, becomes self-evident. The only feeling left in this loveless state is insignificant”.
I would recommend a read for anyone suffering from depression, or interested in the disorder.
On the author
Andrew Solomon is a journalist, and this is evident from the sheer volume of research and detail going into the book. In the book, he often brings in his own experience into the writing, laying bear his vulnerabilities and the devastation depression has wrought to his life.
The Review:
“My depression has grown on me as that vine had conquered the oak; it had been a sucking thing that has wrapped around me, ugly and more alive than I. It had had a life of its own that bit by bit asphyxiated all of my life out of me.”
The strength and power of The Noonday Demon lies with the dozens of stories that feed into it. Each is the story of an individual, but they together give valuable insight into the understanding of one of the world’s most prevalent diseases.
Although the author admits he is not a scientific expert of any kind, his dedication to studying depression is shown through his detailed exploration of the disorder from its historical, cultural and political roots, to its chemical pathways and various treatments. And, as I mentioned before, the writing is at once compelling and stunning. The story of the author is interwoven with an exploration of all the aspects of our modern day (and historical context) that cause so many to suffer from depression.
In Breakdowns, the author explains the debilitating acute condition, and it is a powerful read. The author then goes on to describe talking therapies (those which come out of traditional psychoanalysis and are subscribed to by psychiatrists) and the physical interventions (from psychopharmacological therapies to harsher therapies such as electroshock therapy).
Both types rely on restoring a “normal” balance to the patient, both in encouraging positive thought and constructive action, and in restoring chemical balance. And both are personalised to the idiosyncratic patient’s needs, and must work together. In particular, antidepressants are chosen primarily based on their side-effects, something which is at once paradoxical and essential as many are incredibly unpleasant even now: “you take antidepressants like you take radiation for cancer.” Solomon also does not avoid discussing alternative medicines. This is particularly important due to the tendency to hail Prozac or nothing, despite the availability of alternative therapies of all types.
The next sections describe the various aspects of a person’s life experience that can lead to the depressive condition. It is in these sections that the stories of depressives truly shine and make the reader understand the importance of different cultural prejudices, addictions and poverty. He does not overdramatize or sweep these issues under the Prozac blanket as is so often tempting in the media. And yet he depicts the cycle of depression experienced by all too many people in our society.
Overall this is an honest, stark text depicting the often under-represented truths about depression as well as those we have heard often. Aptly, the final chapter is simply title Hope.
“Some people suffer mild depression and are totally disabled by it’ others suffer severe depression and make something of their lives anyway.” It is hope that makes the difference.
A note from the author: As my posts sometimes touch on emotive subjects, comments are disabled after 14 days. This is because, at this stage, I feel that ongoing discussions tend to stagnate.