The Gift of Depression: Twenty-one inspirational stories sharing experience, strength, and hope. Together we will end the stigma. [Paperback]

John F. Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2001

This book series is intended to enlighten the world about people living with depression. Its main objective is to remove the public stigma keeping tens of millions of sufferers from seeking treatment for this illness. We believe if people read about what actually has happened in the lives of those with a mental illness, it will dispel their fears and ultimately end the stigma. After all, most of our reactions to life are nothing more than learned behaviors and habits. We hope, by reading this book and the series to follow, you will change your attitudes and interactions toward the mentally ill. Its that simple.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Inspire Hope Publishing (March 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097045290X
• ISBN-13: 978-0970452900
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,134,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find out that you are not alone!, June 13, 2001

By 

Patty E. Fleener "Webowner - Mental Health Today" (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gift of Depression: Twenty-one inspirational stories sharing experience, strength, and hope. Together we will end the stigma. (Paperback)

I am the webowner of the Mental Health Sanctuary and added a story to this book. When the book came out and I was able to read other's stories, not only was the book very interesting to read, but it helped to comfort me, realizing that what I endured in my life was shared by many people. I felt so much less alone as I read other people's stories - their hardships, their pain and how they worked through it - what gave them strength, etc.

If you are hurting and you are feeling alone and perhaps that there is no way out in your life, this book is for you. If you are a family member and you are having a difficult time understanding your loved one, this book is for you

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read" for anyone who is a human being, April 10, 2001

By 

S. Scolastico - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gift of Depression: Twenty-one inspirational stories sharing experience, strength, and hope. Together we will end the stigma. (Paperback)

I could not put this book down. Each person's poignant story gave me a new understanding and compassion for mental illness of all kinds. I believe it will go a long way in healing the fear and stigma surrounding those who suffer from this kind of illness. As John Brown states in his introduction, "No one feels more lost, alone, misunderstood, confused, and hopeless than someone experiencing a depressive episode. This book will not only benefit the patient; it will also aid their family members, who are just as confused and bewildered."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Gift? Not so much!, August 14, 2008

By 

depressed (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gift of Depression: Twenty-one inspirational stories sharing experience, strength, and hope. Together we will end the stigma. (Paperback)

I suffer from depression and hoped this book would do for me what the other reviewers state, and the cover promised. Nothing could have been further from my experience. As someone who does fear what my depression may hold for me in the future, the first two stories, about someone who ultimately killed himself, and another who also feared the future, I was terribly depressed. The book simply killed any hope I had. I REFUSE to read any more, and I will not donate or share it, but destroy it.