I believe that we learn through stories. We learn that we are not alone. Sally Brampton is an optimist. The founding editor of Elle, a successful journalist and novelist, she loves gardening, friends and life. She is also a depressive. Shoot the Damn Dog is a memoir of her journey through depression. For four years her life stood still, mired in the tears, despair and desperate loneliness of mental illness. The brief joy of a stumbled recovery was cruelly, swiftly followed by a relapse into a deeper darkness, alcohol abuse and two suicide attempts. Hers is a story at once deeply personal and profoundly universal which, by way of shared experience, offers a connection to those who feel so terribly alone and ashamed. Unflinching and humble in its honesty, Shoot the Damn Dog blasts the stigma of depression as a character failing or moral flaw and confronts the terrifying illness Winston Churchill called the black dog, an illness that humiliates, punishes and isolates its sufferers. It is also a practical book, offering ideas about what might help. There are no promises, only suggestions: small steps towards understanding and managing this illness and slowly coming back into the light. With its raw, understated eloquence, this book will speak volumes to any person whose life has been haunted by depression , as well as offering help and understanding to those whose loved ones suffer from this debilitating condition.
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'Down-to-earth, honest, sometimes painful, often moving ... What stands out is the book's tone: its honesty, its wisdom and its courage' Daily Telegraph 'Brave and honest ... It must have been terribly painful to write it. But, golly, am I glad that Sally Brampton did' Independent 'Brampton's obsessively honest, angry account ... aims to explode the myth that depression happens only to losers ... This brave and moving memoir challenges all the cliches about mental illness ... All who know the pain of depression will find the book immensely useful, and so will their friends and relations' Sunday Times 'She writes of her despair with such fluidity and lyricism' Observer
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About the Author
Sally Brampton began her career on Vogue before moving to the Observer as fashion editor. She launched Elle in the UK, which she edited for five years, leaving to write full time. She has published several novels, a television documentary and a screenplay, and has written extensively for all the major national newspapers and magazines. She writes a weekly column on emotional issues for the Sunday Times. She lives in London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
116 of 119 people found the following review helpful
By eamo
Format:Hardcover
I have just finished sally's book and found it truely amazing. In fact i bawled my eyes out after reading the first few chapters when i realised her story was so like mine (and my family) and others who suffer from this truely terrifying disease. Like Sally herself, my brother had tried to kill himself recently. Thankfully, mercifully, i was never that ill.
The beauty with Sally's account is she just tells her story just as it is, and in total honesty, which is very brave. I commend her for standing up to the stigma, fear and ignornace that is out there about depression.
I love the way Sally offers some meaningfull tips and advice on how one can perhaps better cope with the disease on a day to day basis.She offers none of the usual patronising miracle cures which other so called 'experts' have often written about.
You must read this book if you know anybody who suffers from this 'black dog' or if you are a sufferer yourself. At first i was afraid to read it, but now i am so, so, glad that i did.
Truely immense.
The beauty with Sally's account is she just tells her story just as it is, and in total honesty, which is very brave. I commend her for standing up to the stigma, fear and ignornace that is out there about depression.
I love the way Sally offers some meaningfull tips and advice on how one can perhaps better cope with the disease on a day to day basis.She offers none of the usual patronising miracle cures which other so called 'experts' have often written about.
You must read this book if you know anybody who suffers from this 'black dog' or if you are a sufferer yourself. At first i was afraid to read it, but now i am so, so, glad that i did.
Truely immense.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
i first read this book 18 months ago whilst in the deepest darkest pit of my depression, this booked helped me beyond words and it gave me comfort and help and relief that i was not alone.
i am currently re-reading this excellent, truthful, honest book as i am again within my darkest pit.
i can not explain why this book helps except to say that it is real, it is honest and it helps me beyond words. i have purchased 2 further copies for my families, as they do not understand and the book says it all.
thank you sally for having the courage and the words to write this book.
i am currently re-reading this excellent, truthful, honest book as i am again within my darkest pit.
i can not explain why this book helps except to say that it is real, it is honest and it helps me beyond words. i have purchased 2 further copies for my families, as they do not understand and the book says it all.
thank you sally for having the courage and the words to write this book.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is a must for anyone coping with depression, or living with someone who suffers from it.
Sally Brampton is painfully honest in her book, and you can really feel you get to know her warts and all.
I dont suffer from depression myself, but I have a huge interest in mental health and this read was both informative and enlightening.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
Get a copy I bet you will want to reread it.
Sally Brampton is painfully honest in her book, and you can really feel you get to know her warts and all.
I dont suffer from depression myself, but I have a huge interest in mental health and this read was both informative and enlightening.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
Get a copy I bet you will want to reread it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
My New Bible
Depression was a word that was never spoken about in our family. After my brother committed suicide 18 months ago, the question I was asked most was "Did you know he was... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. L. A. Haylock
5.0 out of 5 stars
A relief to read
Helped me so much. Great to know I am not alone. Beautifully written, Sally Brampton has a way with words, got completely engrossed in this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by jhine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellant
This is a very honest and insightful account of depression.
It really captures the bleakest depths of this illness which many many people will relate to but also provides HOPE... Read more
It really captures the bleakest depths of this illness which many many people will relate to but also provides HOPE... Read more
Published 3 months ago by N. Leslie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shoot the damn dog.
I enjoyed this easy to read book which gave great insight into the depths of and degrees of depression and the healing journey. Read more
Published 3 months ago by SuperTinrob
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent insight into depression
Excellent insight into beginning to understand depression... but suggest do not read it if you are a depressive yourself!! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs Mary Fisher
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very honest account of depression
An honest and heartfelt account of living with depression and showing there is light at the end of a dark tunnel.
Published 4 months ago by Linzi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sensitive, sensible and written from the heart.
I've read it twice (so far) and have bought copies for friends in need. This book has been so helpful and hopeful. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lynne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another 'must read' for people with depression - and their close...
This was one of two books I read in quick succession coming up out of another too long and seriously black depression (see my review for 'Sunbathing in the Rain' - Gwyneth Lewis). Read more
Published 5 months ago by Miss Read
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shoot the Damn Dog: A Memoir of Depression
This is an excellent book for those who have suffered any degree of depression. She sums up the feelings and emotions of the the illness perfectly. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
Not only is this a good read in its own right but it is a must for anyone who has suffered (or has a friend or relative who has) from depression.
Published 7 months ago by chris king
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