Subjects:
suicide." Depression is a national problem, engulfing some ten to fifteen million Americans within
its bitter grasp. In Speaking of sadness, Karp captures the human face of this widespread
affliction as he brings forth his own experience and that of others in a heart felt, personal work.
Speaking of Sadness had a powerful impact on my life. Though the sort of depression that I
faced was not clinical depression, I still learned quite a bit from Karp's own experiences. The
sort of depression I encounter is a result of heavy drug use throughout my high school years, so
it affected my life in a different sort which is very difficult for me to explain. From personal
experience when I have a serious problem I enjoy taking advice from those who have felt my
pain, especially some of my adult friends from church and my youth pastor. Karp has struggled
with depression for the majority of his life so he writes from the heart and his own experiences.
When people write the truth out of their own experiences, it is very easy to gain lasting
Throughout the book Karp included personal interviews with real people
. . .
David Karp) Throughout Chapter One Karp links depression to a feelings of isolation and
complete loneliness. I felt that I couldn't associate
with their love, that their love wasn't enough to fill the gap in my soul which the drugs that I was
doing had created. " (female graduate student) There are a variety of medications that people can take
but in the end it comes down to how much one is willing to withstand. ) Throughout chapter two David Karp
pinpoints depression and the effect it has on the human soul.
Karp is not all for medication but he is not totally against it.
In chapter Three Karp begins to describe how individuals come to accept medical
versions of depression’s cause and cure. Almost all those who suffer
with depression find hope in medication. Finally a
stage of coming to grips with an illness identity during which they theorize about the cause(s) for
their difficulty and evaluate the prospects for getting beyond depression. A
feeling that only those who struggle can comprehend. Everything that I see is a gift from him, and now my eyes
are open. The ability to say, "I am depressed person" is often
the product of a long journey. " (Unemployed female
administrator) This is the reoccurring theme that depression is an illness of isolation a dis-ease of
disconnection. Those who struggle with any form of illness understand the task of
finding the right doctor.
Essay's Topics
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