The book that changed my life. (Prozac Nation - Elizabeth Wurtzel)

Member Name: Larachristina

Product:	Prozac Nation - Elizabeth Wurtzel
Date:	09/10/08 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Insightful, witty, painful.

Disadvantages: sometimes self indulgent, although this has a basis, and a relevance.

Prozac nation was published in 1994, written by Elizabeth Wurtzel.

The book is autobiographical, documenting Elizabeth Wurtzels experience with depression.


Firstly, before I start talking about the novel itself, I want to say that this book meant more to me than any other book I have ever read in my life.

In my teens, I suffered badly with depression. One of the worst things about my illness, was I felt that no one in the world could relate to me.
Some could say that this is conceited, but it was more a feeling of complete and utter isolation.

I was completely and utterly sure that I was broken. I had never spoken to anyone who could help me understand what I was feeling, and I had never met anyone who could shed any light on my experiences, or at least let me know they understood.

Now, Im older. I have met lots of people who know what I went through. There is a certain freedom you gain when you leave your teens, to discuss your feelings and experiences without fear of repercussions. Being a teenager, sometimes, is like being in a trap, and admitting you are different to everyone else, is like admitting you are faulty.

Anyway.

I read this book when I was about 17. Suddenly, I knew someone understood.


Elizabeths account documents the struggle between feeling terrible miserable, yet having no apparent reason for it, therefore, no tangible answer.

What makes the story compelling, is that Elizabeth Wurtzel is an intelligent, talented, gifted individual. The book truly demonstrates that depression can hit anyone,at any time, for no apparent reason.

Ok. some back story, before I continue to witter.

Elizabeth Wurtzel was brought up Jewish, by divorced parents. Her father was largely absent, and her mother overbearing.
She was described as an overachiever at school, and went on to study at Harvard.
At the end of this year (2008) she graduated Yale college of Law.

So, Wurtzel is no dummy.
Thats the beauty of the book though. It didnt matter. Her intelligents, her achievments, her talent, didnt matter.
They didnt make her feel better about herself, or her situation.

I have read (constantly) about how self indulgent the author is. Ho self pitying and self absorbed.
My only answer to that is that depression is all consuming, all absorbing. I found the authors honesty about this obsession refreshing. She doesnt apologise for her indulgence, just describes it.

To quote the book,

"Sometimes, I get so consumed by depression that it is hard to believe that the whole world doesn't stop and suffer with me."

Despite the title, "Prozac nation" is not glorifying, nor advocating the mass use of antidepressants.
The use of prozac never seemed to *cure* Wurtzel.

Another quote.

"I start to think there really is no cure for depression, that happiness is an ongoing battle, and I wonder if it isn't one I'll have to fight for as long as I live. I wonder if it's worth it."

Whilst reading this book, I found myself taking a highlighter to it, and scrawling through the lines that spoke to me. As a result, the text in its entirety is bright yellow.
Everything felt like it was written for me, or by me, or about me.
See what I mean about the self absorbtion?

I dont think it was me. I have heard of, and read of other people who have felt the urge to underline, or highlight relevant quotes.
I think its evidence. Proof. Other people feel like this, and underlining it makes it real.


There isnt a lot more I can write before this review gets bogged down (even more) in my own backstory, and adoration for this book.
All I can say is this book gave me an insight into my own life that was uncomparable. It helped me in ways I cant even begin to describe, and truly feel that it could do the same for someone else.
If you have ever suffered from depression, or know someone who does, please read this, and please keep an open mind.


Books Elizabeth Wurtzel has written.

Prozac Nation-1994.
Bitch-In praise of difficult women-1999.
More now and again- 2001.

Summary: An inside look at how depression attacks on all fronts.