Monochrome Days: A First-Hand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Depression (Adolescent Mental Health Initiative) [Hardcover]

Cait Irwin (Author), Dwight L. Evans M.D. (Author), Linda Wasmer Andrews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 2007 | Series: Adolescent Mental Health Initiative

If you are one of the nearly twenty percent of adolescents who experience the symptoms of major depression before the end of high school, then you are probably already familiar with the sadness, isolation, and confusion that depression can bring. You may have questions about symptoms, medications, treatments, and how to deal with depression at school and at home. Monochrom Days: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Depression was written specifically for you.

Cait Irwin was diagnosed with major depression at the age of fourteen, and she nearly lost her battle with the illness before she was able to receive the treatment she so desperately needed. In Monochrome Days, Irwin, now an adult and a successful artist, shares her experiences as a young woman who suffered from a crippling depression but was able to recover with the help of a supportive family and expert psychiatric care. In telling her remarkable story, Irwin and science writer Linda Andrews explain what is currently known about major depression in adolescents, demystifying the often confusing science behind the illness. In easy-to-understand language, the book also
-Provides an accessibel yet in-depth look at the causes, treatment, and management of depression
-Discusses such difficult topics as psychiatric hospitalization and antidepressant medications -Offers tips on how to deal with depression both at school and at home, and how to talk about it to teachers, family, and friends
Thoughtful, inspiring, and full of practical wisdom, Monochrome Days is both a compelling memoir and a useful resource that will help to ease the pain of major depression. Cait Irwin's story is one that offers hope and guidance that you yourself can use to overcome the challenges of this illness, and go on to lead a healthy, productive life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sometimes, only those who have been in dark places can provide the light for others to get out. Cait Irwin provides a wonderfully clear-eyed and brave look at depression in teenagers, which is so often undiagnosed or shrugged off as 'moodiness.' Without melodrama or self-pity, she takes us through the whole experience, and shows how medication, therapy, love and the creative spark can combine to heal a ravaged mind." -Tracy Thompson, author of The Beast: A Journey Through Depression

"An honest, helpful, and hopeful account of one teen's journey from pain to promise. Monochrome Days takes the mystery out of depression and provides real guidance to teens who may struggle with this illness, as well as to their friends and families."--Jerry Reed, MSW, Executive Director, Suicide Prevention Action Network USA

"This book is of great value to people of all ages-however, particularly to adolescents. Cait skillfully manages to make 'fear of the unknown' - so often experienced by teens when diagnosed with depression and other mental illnesses -- a non-issue. This book leaves no stone unturned. While sharing her story, Cait quite effectively combats the stigma and misconceptions so often associated with mental illnesses, especially for teens. She shows that depression is a real illness with mental, emotional, and physical implications and conveys the enormous importance of early diagnosis and treatment."--Darcy Gruttadaro, J.D., Director, NAMI Child & Adolescent Action Center

"No one can understand the mind of a young adult better than a young adult herself. In Monochrome Days, Irwin uses personal experience and professional insight to arm teens with the tools they need to conquer the beast of depression. The book includes information about the thoughts and feelings teens are experiencing or see their friends experiencing, with suggestions as to how to talk to parents and other trusted loved ones. By conveying this information by telling her own story, Irwin arms young adults with the most important knowledge of all: that through it all, they are not alone... With so many teens facing challenges to their mental health every day, this book is a must-read for all teenagers and the adults that love them." -Alison Malmon, Founder and Executive Director, Active Minds, Inc.

"Aimed at adolescents who struggle with mental illness, Irwin's story provides a road map to recovery that she describes as a graph with lots of peaks and valleys, but an overall trend that was heading upward. Her voice is that of an older, wiser friend who empathizes with what depressed teens are going through. Chapters are divided into two sections. InMy Story, Irwin details her personal history with depression. The Big Picture includes more general information on symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and a Guy's-Eye View sidebar. This format is highly effective for balancing the author's autobiographical perspective with scientific input from her coauthors. Additional features include FAQs and sources for more information."--School Library Journal

About the Author

Cait Irwin is an artist and lives in northern Wisconsin. She also serves as a spokesperson for the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, and is the author of Conquering the Beast Within: How I Fought Depression and Won and How You Can, Too, an illustrated book about depression.

Dwight L. Evans, M.D., the medical adviser for Monochrome Days, is the Ruth Meltzer Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine and Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He is the lead author of If Your Adolescent Has Depression or Bipolar Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents.

Linda Wasmer Andrews is a freelance health and psychology writer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is the co-author of If Your Adolescent Has Depression or Bipolar Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents as well as the author or co-author of eight other books, including Stress Control for Peace of Mind. Her writing has appeared in magazines such as Self, Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (April 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195310047
• ISBN-13: 978-0195310047
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,655,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful with parents, June 8, 2009

By 

M. Mace (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monochrome Days: A First-Hand Account of One Teenager's Experience With Depression (Adolescent Mental Health Initiative) (Paperback)

A lot of us struggling with depression just want to be understood. We need love as a balm to soothe the spears cast through us so often, by whatever source. I really liked this book. It brought me to tears quite a few times, because the author used sentences that described what I was feeling to a T. I have such a hard time putting my feelings into words (especially when I'm on meds), let alone a few sentences.

This feeling is definitely worth more than the mere $4 I paid for the book.

Besides that, I used the book to gain some understanding with my parents. A few weeks ago, I was doing worse than I ever have before. I ended up coming home from college to spend the summer with my parents. They're really struggling to interact with me, because they have had no experience with depression and really don't know what to do.
I originally bought the book for myself. I read it, and it helped me feel better. But then I read it again, highlighting certain parts and writing comments on the side.
Certainly this might not work for your situation, but at least in my situation, it helped. My parents still can't truly empathize, of course, but it eased the pain of talking to them. I was able to focus my thoughts a little better, to focus them around the frame of the book. And I highlighted and starred those few sentences which described me so well.

One other note - this woman didn't have a quick fix for her depression. I appreciated that a lot. She knows what it feels like to try a medication, then to try a second, and on and on until you've tried at least four. Each number changes how you feel, and it was invaluable to have someone else understand that.

I would definitely recommend this to everyone, everyone, their parents, and even their dog.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Influential book about teen depression you can buy, March 4, 2009

By 

CharlieTheGirl - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monochrome Days: A First-Hand Account of One Teenager's Experience With Depression (Adolescent Mental Health Initiative) (Paperback)

I personally suffered major depression the summer before my senior year of high school. I was so sick I could not get out of bed or eat, my speach was slurred and I physically ached. Major depression is a whole other world than mild depression and this story is exactly what I experienced and what others I'm sure have gone through also. About 3 months into my depression I read this book and it completly changed my outlook. Something about the personal story I connected to instantly and it was just a slap in the face to fight for my life again. I did, and now I am a sucessful college freshman with tons of friends, playing sports, and generally loving life. If there is anyone you know who might be suffering I highlyl suggest this book. Everyday I am thankful that I am here to enjoy my life again and this book helped me get to this point.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She's back with details and specialists' help, April 13, 2008

By 

Thomas Seale (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monochrome Days: A First-Hand Account of One Teenager's Experience With Depression (Adolescent Mental Health Initiative) (Paperback)

First, I thank goodness that Cait Irwin, the author of Conquering the Beast Within, is back alive and well. That book is saving many lives, including mine.
Cait Irwin's struggle with depression is recorded mainly by images in Conquering the Beast Within. She could leave the beast of depression abstract like that, but in Monochrome Days, she bravely reentered where her beast sleeps and detailed her darkest times in order to save much more boys and girls with depression. Moreover, specialists of mental health give contemporary medical and psychiatric help this time.
With Monochrome Days you can recognize what's behind your severe mood chenge and ask for the right help much sooner than the author did. Very kind, self-giving, enlightening work.