The Hilarious World of Depression
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4.8 • 18 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
One of Today's Ten Best Inspirational Books, 2020
By the creator and host of the acclaimed mental health podcast Depresh Mode with John Moe
"[A] path to deeper understanding and openness, by way of laughter in the dark" ―The New York Times Book Review
"Filled with heart, humor and hope." ―People
"A funny, honest book." ―Neil Gaiman
"Candid and funny and intimate." ―Susan Orlean
For years John Moe, critically-acclaimed public radio personality and host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast, struggled with depression; it plagued his family and claimed the life of his brother in 2007. As Moe came to terms with his own illness, he began to see similar patterns of behavior and coping mechanisms surfacing in conversations with others, including high-profile comedians who’d struggled with the disease. Moe saw that there was tremendous comfort and community in open dialogue about these shared experiences and that humor had a unique power. Thus was born the podcast The Hilarious World of Depression.
Inspired by the immediate success of the podcast, Moe has written a remarkable investigation of the disease, part memoir of his own journey, part treasure trove of laugh-out-loud stories and insights drawn from years of interviews with some of the most brilliant minds facing similar challenges. Throughout the course of this powerful narrative, depression’s universal themes come to light, among them, struggles with identity, lack of understanding of the symptoms, the challenges of work-life, self-medicating, the fallout of the disease in the lives of our loved ones, the tragedy of suicide, and the hereditary aspects of the disease.
The Hilarious World of Depression illuminates depression in an entirely fresh and inspiring way.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Moe (Conservatize Me), host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast, wryly reflects on life as a "saddie" in this stirring memoir. Moe discusses depressive thoughts and experiences, including addiction in his family, his brother's suicide in 2007, and moments of acute professional stress. He explains that as he grew up, married, and raised his children, he felt a need (increasingly prompted by his wife) to treat his low-key desire "not so much to die as simply not be alive anymore." Despite his suicidal ideation and his struggle to move past his guilt after his brother's suicide, Moe's story is not bleak. While he does not come out on the mythical other side, he learns with the help of medication, dogs, listening to music, and therapy to break the "habit of converting stress into bleak, goth-eyeliner-wearing despair." Such side-eye commentary separates Moe's story from the "trite '70s self-help" he loathes, as does the inclusion of quotes from podcast guests Maria Bamford, Patton Oswalt, and others. Moe's edifying, enjoyable take on the realities of living with depression will uplift any reader.
