Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.