Anyone who has ever endured the arduous battle against depression will surely identify with themselves in Styron's profound words.

Notwithstanding all of his remarkable accomplishments, the insidious grip of depression made him experience a profound sense of unworthiness, deeming himself unfit for the recognition that he so rightfully deserved.

Moreover, it also clouded his mind, rendering clear thinking an almost insurmountable challenge.

The language he employs has a certain nostalgia, reminiscent of the books penned in the 1940s. However, it is astonishing to note that this work was actually published in 1990.

Nevertheless, despite its brevity, this memoir is an incredibly poignant and moving piece that offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the tortured soul of someone grappling with the demons of depression.

“Despair here is what crushes the soul to a greater extent than pain does.”

“The mania of depression is the opposite of violence. It is indeed a storm, but a thick, foggy storm that quickly shows in a person a slowness in their responses and a near-total state of stupor, and the levels of their spiritual energy decline until they approach zero.”

The rating: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half

I finished the famous experience of William Styron. The book is a different experience for me. However, the subject of depression is not the first time I have read about it. It was studied in a whole subject in the curriculum called “Mental Health.” We studied a whole chapter about depression, its symptoms, its impact on people, as well as medications and treatment methods.

Therefore, I related to the book due to my knowledge of the information it contains. But I was also affected by the author's experience. I liked his courage in dealing with the illness, his boldness in understanding that he was sick and had to submit to treatment.

Depression is a cruel and destructive beast that slowly creeps inside us until it penetrates everything in our lives and begins with the annihilation of self-esteem.

“Among the many terrifying manifestations of both physical and mental illness, the feeling of self-loathing or, to put it more gently, the annihilation of self-esteem is one of its most common symptoms, and with the onslaught of the disease, a general feeling of the annihilation of value develops in me.”

The overall experience was good, but I felt that the small size of the book did not satisfy my desire and eagerness to know more about the illness and about the author's dealing with it. I sometimes felt a hint of discouragement seeping in when he talked about suicides and when he himself was on the verge of the door of death. But it is hope that makes us give life a second chance, perhaps the next one will be better.❤️✨

“In the absence of hope, we must fight until we are saved, even if it is with the breaking of our souls.”

“And so we went out, and once again we saw the stars.” ✨

Finished on 29/2/2022

The animated series "Bojack Horseman" is created about depression. It's interesting to hear the words that you always wanted to say but it was hard for you to express from the mouths of the animated characters.

Generally, when people ask me how I feel, the real answer is that my feelings are messed up, but I can't say that my feelings are messed up because I don't have a good reason to be messed up. So if I say my feelings are messed up, they will ask why and what's the problem? And I have to say I don't know, everything? That's why when people ask me how I feel, I usually say my feelings are very good.

Many people around us who are always smiling may actually have severe depression, but they never express it and suffer alone.

The secret to happiness: Just pretend to be happy and eventually you will remember that you are pretending.

A single drop of water; it may not be enough to quench our parched arteries, but sometimes it can be the key to our survival!

For every person who struggles to hide their pain of depression from those around them; this book comes to say to you: you are not alone... we will survive together

To read the full and organized review, please click on the following link

Because it has deceived me what I feared, and misled me what I dreaded, so there is no security for me, no decision, no rest, after the club has overwhelmed me

The book \\"Visible Darkness\\" is actually a long article published by the author William Styron in the magazine \\"Vanity Fair\\" after adding a narration of specific events that happened to him in Paris. And the article was originally a lecture given by the author at Princeton University under the auspices of the Department of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The book documents a painful and intense experience that the author went through, which is a severe clinical depression with suicidal impulses (melancholia). And the author tried with his courage in the face of his sufferings from depression episodes to be a beacon of hope for thousands of those who suffer from depression in silence, shyness, and fear of those around them; fearing the discovery of their condition!

The importance of the book's content lies in the fact that it comes as a cry against society, individuals, and groups; a society that harshly punishes individuals from within its own group; those who are - without their will - in the pit of depression. It is an attempt to challenge a helpless individual in front of a society that equips itself with all its customs, heritage, and culture in refusing to understand the different from it, and insisting on not correcting its social, physical, and psychological concepts.

The book came as a loud voice for every depressed patient who has endured the looks and accusations of others, especially those closest to him. It came as a beacon of hope for the thousands who struggle with the darkness of oppression within them. It came as a friendly hand that is rubbed on the hearts that are tortured by a cause they do not know that there are others who suffer like them from it

And for these depressed people, the author comes here to share their pain, to encourage them to be brave, and to urge them to live

But in the end, the book remains a personal experience that lacks many solutions. It is just a narration of the life events of a patient. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but the book should be placed in this framework; that is, as a brick in a large building, or as a link in a chain of ideas in order to understand the whole truth, for the book was undoubtedly an inspiration for many of the books that came after it that deal with this field.

The book remains acceptable as an introduction for those who want to understand how a depressed patient suffers. Or the content may be acceptable for those who suffer from depression in a good attempt by them to understand what they are going through. But the book will not provide solutions to overcome the disease of the black heart, so attention must be paid so that the reader is not affected by the symptoms that the author mentioned in his book. Because the reader may imagine that he is going through the same symptoms, which puts him in a worse situation than he is.

In my opinion; for those who suffer from severe depression episodes and want to read a really useful book and get real help in this field, I have not found a better one than the book \\"Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness\\" by Dr. Lewis Wolpert. -Link to the review of Darkness Visible

Quotes

When you are in the lap of safety and ask another person to drown in order to be happy, then your request rises to the level of humiliation

For those who have lived in the dark forest of depression and known its sufferings that are difficult for them to explain, their exit from the abyss is like the poet's ascent as he climbs the path of ascent from the lowest circle of hell to finally reach what he considers light\\". Every one who recovers his health there usually regains the ability to joy and peace, and perhaps that is a better compensation for that despair that he fears and after which he despairs

In the absence of hope, we must struggle until we survive, even if it is with the breaking of hearts

And so we came out, and once again we saw the stars

The excellent translation is by the translator Anwar Shammi, who translated some of Haruki Murakami's novels such as the trilogy
1Q84
Dance...Dance...Dance - \\"After Dark\\", also the novel \\"1984\\" by George Orwell - Arab Cultural Center edition, and also the book - I am Melancholy.

A final word...

I often hear many people say: I can understand the episodes of depression and the extent of the suffering of those who have gone through it.
I will say to everyone who says that: excuse me... Have you been afflicted with depression with the same symptoms that William Styron described in his book Visible Darkness?

No?... Then you don't understand anything about depression

My rating: two stars

Ahmad Fouad
July 25, 2021

I have always read about depression from psychologists and psychiatrists. However, this book is written in the language of an author on the verge of self-harm, who had a close friendship with some of the most interesting self-harming people (such as Roman Gary). The book was a great revelation in its time and gave an important message to society: "Depression may lead to isolation. Let's understand it and not be ashamed of it."

Besides this, in my opinion, only literary talent and knowledge can speak about this darkness with such beauty and clarity. The book ends on a feminine and very hopeful note for those who encounter depression at any time. The above sentences are extremely powerful, but for someone who finishes the book, I will convey another side:

One sunny day, I was walking with my dog among the bushes when a group of Canadian geese were quacking loudly from above the trees whose branches and leaves were submerged in light. Of course, the sound and the scene should have brought me to my senses. The flight of the birds made me stop. I was trembling with fear and stood there alone, helpless, trembling, and for the first time, I understood that it was not the pain of quitting alcohol, a serious illness that I finally admitted by name and reality, that had taken my soul. When I was going home, I couldn't free myself from the poem of Baudelaire that came from the distant past and for several days it lingered on the verge of my consciousness: I have felt the wind of madness in my wings.

Depression is a complex and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The author's account of his struggle with depression provides a powerful and poignant insight into the inner turmoil and emotional pain that those suffering from this illness experience.

From the moment he first uttered the words "I am sick" to a complete stranger, the author knew that his life would never be the same. The admission of having a mental illness is not an easy one, especially when it comes to sharing it with others. It takes a great deal of courage and strength to open up and reveal one's vulnerability.

The author also highlights the importance of support from loved ones in the recovery process. He credits his partner, Rose, with providing him with the love and encouragement he needed to keep fighting. Without her by his side, he may not have been able to overcome the dark clouds of depression that threatened to consume him.

However, the author also warns about the dangers of self-medication and the use of inappropriate medications. He recounts his experience with a doctor who prescribed him Ativan, a powerful sedative, without fully understanding the potential risks and side effects. This highlights the need for greater education and awareness among both patients and healthcare providers about the proper use of medications for mental illness.

In conclusion, the author's story serves as a reminder that depression is a real and serious illness that requires proper treatment and support. It is important for those suffering from depression to seek help and not be ashamed or afraid to ask for it. With the right treatment and support, it is possible to overcome depression and lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. "But one does not need to appear false or overly optimistic to assert the truth that depression is not the end of the world; for the men and women who have recovered from this illness - and there are countless of them - are witnesses to what may be the only redeeming feature of depression, which is that it is an illness that can be conquered."

**NATURAL BURELLA**

Albert Camus, Romain Gary, Jean Seberg - these are just some of the names associated with the captivating world of the "Natural Burella". Set in Parigi, it weaves a tale that intersects with various literary works and events. From "Lo straniero" to "Le confessioni di Nat Turner", and from the Prix Goncourt to the American Hospital di Neuilly, the story unfolds against a backdrop of rich cultural and historical references.

The year 1952 marks an important point in this narrative, and as the years pass, from 1960 to 1989, the story takes on new dimensions. The use of substances like Halcion and Ludiomil, benzodiazepines, and the mention of concepts such as the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association" add a layer of complexity.
The "Natural Burella" is not just a physical place but a symbol of the turmoil and transformation that occurs within the characters. It is a place where they face their inner demons, experience emotions like angoscia, sofferenza, and even consider drastic measures like suicidio.
The journey through the "Natural Burella" is like a tempesta mentale, filled with fantasie atroci and tormento. But as Dante and Virgilio did in the Inferno, the characters in this story also seek an exit, a way to "riveder le stelle" and find hope again.

Tag words: Albert Camus, Romain Gary, Jean Seberg, Parigi, literary works, Prix Goncourt, American Hospital di Neuilly, substances, psychiatric manual, emotions, suicidio, hope.

The air was filled with the smell of books, dust, and mold. However, I must admit that the author's description of his critical period was so powerful and vivid that at times I felt as if I was slowly going through the same pruning process as he was! And thank God that both of us ended up well :)

And an author (or any other individual) must truly be an artist to write about the bitterest experiences of his life so mercilessly, yet beautifully, don't you think?

The stars are for both the honest description of Stein and the very good translation by Afshin Rezapour.

And we took such a step forward and looked at the stars again..... S72

As I expected, the above book was not extraordinary.

The most important feature of the book was the description of the mental and physical conditions of a person suffering from depression in the language of someone who had experienced these things himself.

It had valuable points regarding the treatment of depression, and it was necessary to be aware of them because even if a person is not at risk of depression, he will surely encounter some people around him who are suffering or on the verge of suffering.

The last few lines of the book, although they took the form of advice to oneself, were not necessarily painful. Instead, considering the course of the story, it was possible for the reader to accept these advices.

Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness - William Styron

Quotations:

"Depression is an illness that in its extreme manifestations is a mystery, a cruel and baffling affliction, difficult to describe."

"Severe depression does not go away between bouts of remission, and this fact underlines a fundamental truth that I feel compelled to state at the outset of this narrative: the disease of depression remains a profound mystery, and in its full-blown form has been more resistant to understanding by science than other, more lethal maladies."

"I awoke at midmorning.... My mental state was good. But this brittle euphoria was only a familiar façade, and it meant nothing to me because I was certain that feelings of dread would overtake me before nightfall."

"I felt within my mind a sensation that resembled actual pain but was different from it in a way that defies description.... And here I do not use the expression 'defies description' in any sense of hyperbole, for if this were describable pain, most of the rational beings who have been confined to the company of those who have endured this ancient torture would have been able to describe to their friends and loved ones, and perhaps even to their physicians, some of the actual aspects of their agony. And perhaps they would have been able to distill a general understanding that is lacking not because of a lack of sympathy in general, but because of the fundamental inability of even the most sensitive people to imagine an anguish they have never known in their daily lives."

"Depression is an illness of great complexity in its causes, symptoms, and treatment, and it is impossible to make sweeping generalizations based on the experience of one individual.... "

"The recurrence of depression is the rule after recovery, but most sufferers endure these relapses, and often cope with them better because their previous experience has prepared them psychologically to face this monster. It is important for those who experience a relapse, perhaps for the first time, to know, or at least to be convinced, that the illness will run its course and that they will recover in the end. And this is a difficult but crucial point."

"For when one is in the safe haven and demands of another person that he 'cheer up,' then this demand borders on cruelty, for it has been proved time and again that if encouragement is sincere and support is genuine, then the rescue of the person in jeopardy becomes possible in most cases."

In this powerful memoir, the renowned writer William Styron describes depression for those who have not experienced it by bravely putting his personal experience in the hands of the readers. He attempts to define it more than once because it is difficult to define depression due to the uniqueness of the experience between one patient and another.

In conclusion:

I agree with him that the word "depression" has become overused and meaningless and does not describe the true meaning of depression (in either Arabic or English). But I also add the word "madness" mentioned in the title, which is a word that has stood the test of time and is extremely nebulous, even contemptible. This leads us to the need for new terms, especially in all that pertains to health in general and mental health in particular.

Like me, the renowned best-selling author William Styron, known for his masterpieces such as "Sophie's Choice" and "The Confessions of Nat Turner", has endured the harrowing experience of medically resistant clinical depression. "Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness" offers a concise yet captivating autobiographical account of his journey through what Chaucer referred to as "melancholia" in the first literary mention of what is now termed a "mood disorder".

Styron writes with great candor about his encounter with depression, including a long hospitalization that eventually enabled him to acquire coping mechanisms to manage his illness. Sadly, in modern times, such an option is often rare, as physicians frequently rely on pharmacopeia as a sort of panacea that doesn't always assist patients.

On pages 61-62 of the book, Styron shares what I believe to be the most precise and compelling description of living with depression as he details preparing for a dinner party. He writes, "And this results in a remarkable experience - one which I have termed, borrowing military jargon, the situation of the walking wounded. For in almost any other severe illness, a patient experiencing similar devastation would be confined to bed, perhaps sedated and connected to the tubes and wires of life support systems, or at the very least in a state of rest and in a secluded environment. Their invalid status would be necessary, unquestioned, and honorably achieved. However, the sufferer of depression has no choice and thus finds himself, like a walking casualty of war, thrust into the most unbearable social and family situations. There, despite the agony consuming his mind, he must present a façade approximating that associated with ordinary events and companionship. He must attempt to make small talk, respond to questions, and knowingly nod, frown, and, God help him, even smile. But it is an arduous trial just to utter a few simple words."

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those grappling with depression, whether they are the patients themselves or their family members. Styron's insights offer healing on multiple levels.

**Review and Evaluation of "Darkness Visible" by American Author William Styron**

Translation by Anwar Shamiyeh. Published by Dar al-Karama. Number of pages: 118.

**Preface**:
Depression is a complex concept that encompasses cultural, social, and health aspects. How does an individual and society view it? How does the sufferer view the reality in which they live? Is it hereditary or acquired? Is it a medical condition or a serious threat? Should the sufferer be blamed and cast aside if they make a wrong move, or is it considered like a cancer patient in the final stages, and all their mistakes are forgiven? Is it a sinner or a victim? Does life have meaning to be lived? That is the question that is the gateway to depression, which makes you either enter it lost or come out of it reborn.

**The Review**:
The events of this book, which consists of short memoirs of the author's experience with depression that he suffered from when he was sixty years old after quitting a certain habit that he used to do as a kind of ritual after his work (writing), and then we see how the disease progresses with him, and we see his analysis of the disease and his experiments with different drugs, his search in the experiences of others, and his desire to know the reason for its occurrence with him, and finally how he was able to overcome it.

**The Evaluation**:
This is a very short book, but it is rich in information, details, and events that will make you get to know this serious disease that is no less dangerous than other serious diseases, but it also sheds light on the possibility of overcoming it through the author's own experience with this disease. It is a very valuable, wonderful, simple, and direct book. You will come out of it with many names of drugs used in the treatment of depression cases along with an explanation of their harmful effects. You will also get to know a large number of celebrities who were somehow victims of this disease. I give this very useful book