Shoot the Damn Dog: A Memoir of Depression - Sally Brampton

"Shoot the Damn Dog" blasts the stigma of depression as a character flaw and confronts the illness Winston Churchill called 'the black dog', a condition that humiliates, punishes and isolates its sufferers. It is a personal account of a journey through (and out of) severe depression, as well as being a practical book, offering ideas about what might help. With its raw, understated eloquence, it will speak volumes to anyone whose life has been haunted by depression, as well as offering help and understanding to those whose loved ones suffer from this terrifying condition.

I know a fair bit about depression and psychology and had high expectations for this novel - as everyone had advised it was good. However i was a little disappointed with the result.

Although interesting to hear her story of depression and how she went through several rehabs and situations to get out of it.  I felt she was omitting some vital information in this book and unlike other biographies where the writer lays themselves bare. I did not get this impression from Brampton.

I think she missed out some key points and the story and the content did not flow very easily. It left me wondering more about the gaps that she left out and less about what she was writing about.  It was a sad story about depression and how long she suffered through it, and it gave a good view about her version of chronic depression.  Would i recommend it? Only to those curious or suffering from depression themselves it makes good reading, otherwise probably not.