Honest, Courageous, Warm and Funny!

This is one of the very best books I’ve ever read about depression— and I have read *many.*

Susan bravely opens her life and shares her experience with us, the good, the bad, and the ugly. With her trademark wit (usually heard on the BBC), she gives us a very real, very grounded, very passionate insight into what it’s like to live inside her head.

As someone who has lived with clinical depression for decades, I found myself nodding time and again, and saying ‘exactly!’ out loud. This is a great book for someone who lives with depression — it will make you feel understood, and less alone— but it’s perhaps even better as a gift to help someone understand what it’s like to experience depression.

Considering that her public image is her livelihood, I'm truly in awe of her willingness to reveal herself warts-and-all; the brutal candor with which she shares her faults, failures and struggles. As we share her journey to recovery, and to the great place where she is now, we can gain solace and support for our own journeys.

It’s a very inspiring book, and it will leave you with a solid foundation of hope and optimism. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Thank you, Susan, for everything you’ve put into this.

2 people found this helpful

Get this book! #SusanIsAwesome!

First of all, I had never heard of Susan Calman until I came across this book sometime last year.
It was on my wish list for quite a while and although I really wanted to listen to it I avoided purchasing it for quite some time.
Probably because I thought even after listening to the sample and reading the description that I might become more depressed by listening.
That is usually what has happened when I have tried self-help books about my depression and anxiety issues.
From the beginning I could relate to Susan in so many ways.
OK, there are several things in which we are quite different.
Number one, I am about the least organized person ever and although I think the lists are good and helpful things, I just never seem to get around to making them.
I am not a successful person in anyway which sometimes adds to my depression.
I am straight and she is gay but it sounds like we both have incredibly patient and supportive spouses.
Throughout many years of counseling, trying to read self-help books about depression and anxiety or even talking to other friends with depression, never have I felt like anyone has understood what I am going through quite like Susan.
I have asked my family to read or listen to this book because she does such an awesome job Of explaining what most of my days are like.
I feel that by reading this book they would actually be able to understand what it is like four me and the things that go through my head.
She brilliantly describes perfectly what it is like to live with depression.
I think that anyone could enjoy this boo but if you yourself suffer from depression or if you have a close friend or family member who does, you have got to read this book.
It is brilliantly written and she is an excellent narrator.
Although the subject is serious, This book is anything but depressing.
I have been in the middle of a particularly difficult time for quite a while now and this was the perfect time for me to listen to this book.
I definitely have picked up a few tips that I am going to try and apply to my own life and situation.
I like that she is so Open and honest about her own journey with depression.
When you are in the midst of a particularly tough time, it seems that sometimes all you can do is focus on the negative because that is all you can feel at that moment.
By holding herself accountable and taking responsibility for her own mental health, she forces the listener to do the same.
She causes you to think about the fact that you are not the only person in the world that suffers from depression or simply that you are not the only person in the world.
Although I think it is usually unintentional and it can be hard to admit, sometimes severely depressed people can be rather self-centered.

This is something that I know but of course I don't like to hear.
When you know that she has been on the same journey that you have, you can't accuse her of being preachy or get angry because she doesn't understand.
That's what I tend to do if I don't like what I'm hearing.
I will just stop listening and decide that they do not understand what it is like for me.
In a lot of cases, that is definitely true and people can give you some very bad advice so it is important that you are careful who and what you listen to.
Bottom line, if you have a friend or loved one that suffers from depression and want to know what helps and what doesn't help, this is a very good place to start.
If you are suffering from depression then you definitely need to get yourself motivated to get this book.
And then depressed person, once you get this book then you need to actually listen to it.
It will make you laugh even if you don't want to.
My cat Steve seemed to enjoy listening to parts of it with me as well.
I think that he could tell that she loves cats.
Cats being as they are, the other two didn't seem to care.
I really do think Steve enjoyed listening to her voice though.

1 person found this helpful

As poignant as it is humorous...

Amazing listen by a courageous woman determined to overcome obstacles-- both internal and external-- to live a full life, and eager to help others do the same. If you have ever felt "less than", depressed or anxious, or jyst plain stuck, this is for you. I can see that this will be a "go to" audiobook for me when I am feeling blue.

1 person found this helpful

Inspiring

Loved her complete sincerity-- it was great to hear how she looked at depression from so manh different angles!

1 person found this helpful

Very sad

Don’t read if you suffer from depression as I do. Sad sad sad sad sad

I think mine might be a wombat

Susan Calman has a wonderful way of looking at depression issues, naming them, and correcting them. I shall, from now on, be working on finding a lovely hat. For my wombat of sadness.

Fantastic.

I loved it. Eight thumbs up. Comedy and depression talk wraped up into a burrito.

Fantastic book

Thank you so much for this fabulous book. It has really helped me deal with very difficult mental health issues. Wonderful

Too self indulgent, way too simplistic

Mrs Calman has some flaws that made this book a waste of time for me: she tries too hard to be funny; tries too hard to sound lovable, and her advice on depression is simplistic. Also, her singsong delivery reminded me of a stewardess showing the exits on the plane. Bad. Sorry.

pd And she dismisses medication as treatment and that is very irresponsible. Came across as a spoiled child.