Strangely beautiful..

I listened to this book in some of my darkest hours when I felt completely unable to read- my concentration span whilst panicking is appalling. Although I couldn't see or understand the hope in the vast majority of the reasons to live, I was listening, and hence I was existing. And I knew at some point, existing could turn to 'living' and whilst living I could be happy. So thank you Matt Haig for sticking a pin into the one of the ends of my blocked off tunnel and letting the smallest stream of light in. I think I may find myself listening to this book again one day.

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4 people found this helpful

Heavy but brilliant!

This book helped me a lot and I am so happy to get through it! it has a lot of short-ish chapters and so it gets very heavy to listen through but every word is worth listening to! and Matt Haig is not only a brilliant writer with the courage to write this book but he is also couragous and brilliant enough to read it for this audiobook which I really appreciate! thank you

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Frighteningly reassuring

Having struggled with my mind but not really knowing what I was struggling with, it made listening to Matt Haig a venture into the unknown. Through sharing his story, and giving his own advice along the way, it's given me context to what I've experienced and continue to battle. This book isn't about curing the demons in your head, this book is about understanding what it is that we think and feel, and rationalising it to make it easier to cope with. I feel far better for having listened to Matt's story than if I hadn't and continued to feel isolated. Matt welcomes you into the club, it's not a desirable or glamorous club, but it's a club nonetheless that made me realise I'm not alone. Thank you Matt.

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useful tips for depression

Read this book whilst struggling with anxiety and depression and it has certainly helped me understand it better and give me ways to help cope with it. thank you Matt

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So much more informative than medical books

I’m always despairing of cliches people come out with (eg for cancer sufferer “well, you’ve started on your journey now” & the medical cliches “depression” (that some might say is “not a cliche it’s a medical term”) is another. Sufferers experience such a wide variety of symptoms that come under the blanket term depression & these are eloquently described here. I’m aware that prefixes such as “psychotic” depression are slapped on but it doesn’t make it any the less an unhelpful label & cliche. So this book describing the mental & physical hell the author endures, & is always mindful that he might relapse back into , might teach the odd student of mental health what it’s really like. It must have been a courageous task to undertake but Haig has said it like it was for him; not compartmentalised it into a dry & withered collection of nouns & unhelpful medical jargon at which one chucks psychoactive drugs. It’s great the author realised life style & nutrition are what really aided him. Very interesting book.

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Simplified a very complex problem

Matt Haig has masterfully simplified through real life examples of how depression impacts most of us if not all of us. Also it gives some good ideas on how to deal with it, how to enjoy and own life, not be ashamed of it. Great listen, definitely recommend it!

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Brilliant

I found this book very informative. I hope Mats health continues to be good it was awful what he had to suffer.

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Easy listened and positive at the end.

The book was a joy to listen. it helped me and encourage me, it has a positive ending. The start that describes the place where he stayed with his girlfriend it was nice.

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Thank you

Matt writes with candour and honesty leaving the reader, or listener, with the experience of his depression and mental illness. I read this book first a couple of years back when it felt like a bit of a lifeline for me as I struggled through an almost unbearable period of my life. This time, listening to Matt read his book, I am touched again and encouraged to continue. He kind of normalises what feels completely abnormal and intolerable, reminding me that I’m not alone in experiencing deep, dark depressive episodes. Thank you for writing such an encouraging and helpful book. I hope many will find their way to read it too.
Eamonn London

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A true help

A difficult read initially but lifts you as you read more, this book has helped me recently and will help others. A great book.

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