‘If we had a keen vision and feeling of all ordinary human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow and the squirrel’s heart beat, and we should die of that roar which lies on the other side of silence.’
George Eliot, Middlemarch
Having spent her life trying to patch up the souls of others, psychiatrist Linda Gask came to realise that being an expert in depression didn’t confer any immunity from it – she had to learn take care of herself, too. Artfully crafted and told with warmth and honesty, this is the story of Linda’s journey, interwoven with insights into her patients’ diverse experiences of depression -inextricably linked with problems in the past and the present such as vulnerability, fear, loss, loneliness, dependence and grief. She sets out to convey, in a new and original way, how it truly feels to experience this devastating illness, what psychotherapy is about, and the role of medication- and provides hope for those who suffer from depression and their loved ones whilst busting the stigma of mental illness.
George Eliot, Middlemarch
Having spent her life trying to patch up the souls of others, psychiatrist Linda Gask came to realise that being an expert in depression didn’t confer any immunity from it – she had to learn take care of herself, too. Artfully crafted and told with warmth and honesty, this is the story of Linda’s journey, interwoven with insights into her patients’ diverse experiences of depression -inextricably linked with problems in the past and the present such as vulnerability, fear, loss, loneliness, dependence and grief. She sets out to convey, in a new and original way, how it truly feels to experience this devastating illness, what psychotherapy is about, and the role of medication- and provides hope for those who suffer from depression and their loved ones whilst busting the stigma of mental illness.
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Reviews
Brave, bold and poignant - but above all a first in bringing together the intricate web and weave of being simultaneously a doctor, a patient and an academic.
Honest, vivid, powerful... anyone who has struggled with what are called 'common mental health problems' will identify with this book.
People who have been depressed, or lived with depression in the family, will recognise the self-doubt, the gnawing anxiety and the brave public face, though not all reach the self-acceptance that she finally manages. Linda Gask has achieved something unusual: a book about depression that is both personal and scientifically sound.
A brave piece of writing
I highly recommend The Other Side of Silence if you want a real account and contemporary understanding of depression, particularly with the supporting knowledge of a medical perspective.
I really feel books like 'The Other Side of Silence' help demystify mental health... I always recommend such books to new staff as a "way in" to understanding mental health and mental illness. We now have another book on the shelf to help us open up conversations about "madness".
This is an exceptional book and should be read by many, both doctors and patients.
Linda is a brave and brilliant woman
it completely captivated me. I couldn't put it down. What a compelling life story
a remarkable memoir.
The Other Side of Silence is a must read for those experiencing or interested in depression, and all who are training and working in psychiatry
What is exceptional in this volume is the absolute sanity of its project. It is one of the least mad books on madness imaginable, and it most essentially promotes hopefulness in spite of its tales of real despair and disorientation.