Mending the Mind: The Art and Science of Overcoming Clinical Depression

Oliver Kamm

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'A tour de force . . . an important, affecting and effective book' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL

'[A] gorgeous and urgent book' STEVEN PINKER

'Reminds us that, despite our hazy understanding of depression, and despite the true horror of the illness, some hope for recovery remains' THE TIMES

'Extremely intelligent, compassionate and well-written' EVENING STANDARD

Sadness is an inevitable part of life, but for most of us it coexists with happiness. Clinical depression, however, unhinges us from everything we know about the world and makes us strangers to those we love. It is the predominant mental-health problem worldwide, affecting more than 250 million people. Yet how much do we really know about the condition and how to treat it? Drawing on his own experience of a disorder that has afflicted humanity throughout history, Oliver Kamm charts the progress of science in understanding depression and explores insights from writers and artists through the ages. Hopeful, revelatory and deeply versed in current research, Mending the Mind sets out in plain language how clinical depression can be countered - and may eventually be overcome.

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Praise for Mending the Mind: The Art and Science of Overcoming Clinical Depression

  • Oliver Kamm's urbanity, erudition and compassion are raised to the power of two in Mending the Mind. He put them to work in crafting this gorgeous and urgent book, and on every page they remind us of his moral that enviable gifts are no protection against the affliction of depressionWith startling openness and honesty, but without angling for sympathy, Kamm describes his symptoms . . . Kamm's overall message is that despite the utter grimness of those symptoms, sufferers should remain optimistic . . . Mending the Mind reminds us that, despite our hazy understanding of depression, and despite the true horror of the illness, some hope for recovery remains - THE TIMESA tour de force that is not just personal, but looks at depression through science, art, literature and history. The combination makes it an important, affecting and effective bookThe combination of Kamm's up close and personal and investigative approaches together make this both useful and insightful. It's also extremely intelligent, compassionate and well-written - EVENING STANDARD

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Oliver Kamm

Oliver Kamm

OLIVER KAMM is a leader writer and columnist for The Times. His book ACCIDENCE WILL HAPPEN: THE NON-PEDANTIC GUIDE TO ENGLISH was published by W&N in 2015.

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