You Don't Have to be Famous to Have Manic Depression by Jeremy Thomas and Dr Tony Hughes
Jeremy Thomas suffers from manic depression and Dr Tony Hughes is a GP
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Thursday, 28, Sep 2006 02:53
Published by Penguin Michael Joseph, out September 28th, paperback, 320 pages, £12.99.
In a nutshell.
Refreshingly open, entertaining, extremely informative.
What's it all about?
One in six people are believed to suffer from depression at some point in their life, a condition that is often under-reported, misunderstood and, as a result, socially stigmatised.
Manic depression - whereby someone experiences both extreme, creative highs known as mania, and crushing, depressive lows - is less common, more serious, and, sadly, often more difficult for patients and those around them to deal with. The fluctuation between extremes of mood and behaviour also explains the condition's other name, bipolar disorder.
It is precisely these issues - of ignorance, stigmatisation and denial - that the authors have set out to challenge. The book divides into three sections: transcribed conversations between the two men, discussing depression, coping with and overcoming it; a series of anonymous, personal accounts from other manic depressives; and an A to Z of the important issues, medical terms, and organisations involved with treating this condition.
Who's it by?
Jeremy Thomas suffers from manic depression, a condition which both fuelled and threatened his position as a successful executive in the music business. Increasingly erratic, difficult and dangerous behaviour ultimately led to his hospitalisation and diagnosis as a manic depressive.
Thomas has battled his condition and reached a position where he understands it and can live with it, and spends his time helping others and raising awareness of mental illness. His first novel is due to be published later this year.
Dr Tony Hughes is a GP based in a London hospital, specialising in helping those suffering from a range of mental illnesses. He has considerable experience in this area of medicine, and together with Mr Thomas helped produce the recent BBC documentary, 'Stephen Fry: The secret life of a manic depressive'.
As an example.
"Most of us have got something wrong with us. It's all about having the right attitude. Your condition doesn't need to be the centre of conversation at a party, but neither does the whole room have to fall silent when the words 'manic depressive' are mentioned."
Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster
This could be adapted into a big screen production, but in many ways seems unsuitable; the different sections, for instance, lend themselves to helpful reference, rather than a script conversion.
However, what could undoubtedly be the basis of a movie would be Mr Thomas' experiences themselves, which range from amusing anecdotes to terrifying moments of complete disinhibition.
What the others say
"As with any of the numerous treatment options out there, some may find it very helpful, and others may want to throw it against the wall." - Mary Fitzgerald, New Statesman
"There are some very good things about this guide to recognising and treating depression, not least the excellent introduction by Stephen Fry . a genuinely helpful book." - Tom Boncza-Tomaszewski, The Independent
So is it any good?
This is a very brave and rewarding book, that assumes no prior knowledge of the various conditions it discusses. General misconceptions about mental illness are punctured, and there are clear, non-judgmental assessments of the problems associated with depression, and how different people can work to overcome the difficulties of their particular condition.
Some readers may be put off by what come across as moments of flippancy or excessive jokiness in the dialogues between the two authors, but these should not be dismissed - they highlight, knowingly or not, a common problem in discussing mental illness, that of shyness and reticence. Early counselling and therapy sessions can often involve the patient doing everything they can to avoid openly discussing how they feel, an issue the book deals sympathetically with.
The closeness between the two men - who are friends as well as doctor and patient - is apparent throughout, and only adds to the profound honesty of some of the book's admissions. Add this to some startling contributions from other depressives and an impressively thorough A to Z guide to mental illness, and you are left with a very wonderful book indeed. Highly recommended, for depressives and non-depressives alike.
9/10
Chris Wilson