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Struck by Living [Paperback]

Julie Hersh (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)


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Paperback, April 15, 2010 --  

Book Description

April 15, 2010
Struck by Living: From Depression to Hope is an honest and hopeful look at clinical depression punctuated by suicide attempts and a recovery path including electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT. This debut non-fiction narrative by Julie Hersh traces her search for identity through her career, interfaith marriage, motherhood and clinical depression.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite an idyllic family life, including two children and a loving husband, the depression that consumed former business exec Hersh drove her to three suicide attempts in the space of six months. In this inspiring, brutal memoir, Hersh documents her struggle back to life, including stints in hospital psychiatric wards, a month at an anti-depression camp, various medications, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Hersh renders her journey in graceful prose ("My deathtrap brain failed to truncate my existence") that doesn't get in the way of her attempts to dispel the stigma that surrounds mental illness and its treatment; she faces ECT early on and finds it a particularly effective treatment far removed from its negative popular image. As a severe case, Hersh gives a clear, resonant voice to many aspects of a complicated illness, while offering a moving and hopeful (though at times frightening) narrative for those fighting to overcome depression's worst.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Splendid! Struck by Living details the debilitating illness that many of us have battled. Julie's honesty enables readers to understand the serious damage caused by depression and the happiness unleashed in recovery."

Tom Johnson
Former president of CNN
Publisher of the LA Times and Dallas Times Herald

"My grandmother's suicide had a terrible impact on my mom. Usually fun loving, humorous, and jovial, my mother occasionally required hospitalization for depression throughout my childhood. Julie Hersh gives us a documentary ride in the mind of a potential suicide victim and shows us her road to survival as could only be provided by one who has been there. Struck by Living is a story of courage, love, hope, and victory."

Ruth Buzzi
Comedienne, actress, and Golden Globe winner for her work with Rowan & Martin s Laugh-In

"Readers of this book will find a well-written, illuminating, and appealing personal memoir, which will raise necessary questions and conversations about the successful treatment of depression."

Joanne Greenberg
Award-winning author of 17 books, including bestselling novel, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

"For over a decade, I ve been helping people choose life over suicide. Julie clearly conveys the all-too-misunderstood journey of psychological pain and brings us down a hopeful path."

Margie Wright
Executive Director
Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas --Back Cover

Product Details

  • Paperback: 232 pages
  • Publisher: Brown Books (April 15, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1934812633
  • ISBN-13: 978-1934812631
  • Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #995,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Awarded the Mental Health America Ruth Altschuler Community Advocate Prism Award and selected as one of the 2010 Distinguished Women by Northwood University, Julie Hersh is an outspoken advocate for mental health. "Despite medical advances," Julie says, "too many people die by suicide because they are afraid to seek help." Julie's goal is to provide a living example that mental illness is a manageable disease. Her Struck by Living blog is featured on the Psychology Today website. Julie is also a guest blogger for "Say No to Stigma" for Menninger Clinic.

After earning her BBA at the University of Notre Dame, Hersh worked in high-tech product development and marketing/sales in Silicon Valley. She "retired" from a lucrative sales management position after the birth of her first child. A long-time member of the Cooper Center, Hersh ran her second marathon at age 50. Julie is Board President of the Dallas Children's Theater, a board member of Southwestern Medical Foundation and active supporter of the Suicide and Crisis Center, CONTACT and other non-profit organizations. She lives with her husband and two children in Dallas. Texas.

 

Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
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4 star:
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3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Get inside the head of a depression sufferer- a very moving read!, April 5, 2010
This review is from: Struck by Living (Paperback)
Struck by Living is a true account of the author's struggle with depression. Since she has kept a journal from childhood on, the book's dip into her journey is haunting. The book illuminates what depression can feel like from the inside of the person who is suffering. It shows us how very desperate and hopeless a usually high functioning person can become when struggling with this disease. It is heart wrenching at times but also uplifting. The author survives her suicide attempts and has now given us a wonderful gift - insight into the disease and also hope. The chapters transition well and the reader will enjoy the page turning qualities of this story. It is a must read for anyone who has suffered from depression or knows someone who has the disease or has committed suicide. I am thankful that the author has survived and has opened up her life to strangers in order that she may help others.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Maria Beys (Dallas) Good friend of Julie, April 5, 2010
This review is from: Struck by Living (Paperback)
Even after reading several drafts, knowing Julie throughout her struggle, and knowing the outcome, I couldn't put this book down until I finished it. It is an inspiring, honest, enlightening book on how depression can strike anyone at anytime. It reads like a novel. I would recommend this book to everyone.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for being honest!, May 1, 2010
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This review is from: Struck by Living (Paperback)
Thankfully, someone has stepped up and described the agonizing process of dealing with depression without trying to hide their identity or cover their fear of recognition.

It appears that Julie doesn't have anything to lose...as so many people do if they admit to battling depression..but this obviously took a lot of courage to write. The worry of losing a job or your family or social status seem to perpetuate this disease which is really no different than having any other disease; like allergies or diabetes. Why is that? Hopefully, someone coming forward to shed light on the struggle will take it out of the dark and foreboding attitude depression is seen with by so many.

It also appears that Julie has nothing to be depressed about...bravo. Most people don't it's brain chemistry. I like knowing there are options and help out there.

Aside from being an honest portrayal of one woman/family/community's struggle, the book is well written; more like a novel than a self-help book (which really wouldn't interest me as much). But, gives great insight into the life of a depressed person. So if you suffer from depression or know someone who does or just want to understand it better; this may interest you.

Luckily, the story ends in a hopeful way and may offer hope to many who deal with depression alone or deal with a family member who struggles with it.
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