Wishing you a blessed Ash Wednesday, thank you for the work you do on behalf of people who are suffering from depression on all levels. God bless you and your family.

Dear Therese, I feel like there's nothing I can say to you about your book "Beyond Blue" that hasn't already been said, but let me add to the comments anyway.
I have an MA and like you I have researched my way all over the place about depression and BP 2 and motherhood and New Age responses to it etc etc etc. I tried to kill myself when I was 16 (all parents and grandparents were active alcoholics) and was found prematurely and rushed to hospital. Anyway, I managed to pull myself up out of a deep depression with a lot of therapy and self-help and compelling higher power and vision for my life etc. But when I had children I spiralled right back down, both with my first and again with my second. I am now on meds and in therapy but your book has been a Godsend to me.
Thank you so much for your courage to speak out and sound stupid and weak and foolish and all those other things you and I tell ourselves about our story. I am so tremendously grateful that you put my feelings into words, that it was okay to love my kids while also feeling so unbelievably inadequate and like I was one step away from the climax in The Shining.
You have helped me to feel better about accepting meds, and more importantly given me some amazing suggestions for how to look consciously at all areas of my life and make them more positive. I'm working through the reading list, just loving Prozac to Potatoes. This is all SO awesome! Please NEVER quit writing, NEVER quit being honest! You are helping sooooooo many people!!!!

I was first diagnosed with BP disorder when I was 21....have been on lithium, Prozac and God knows what else..believe it or not, I gave up all meds..I take Omega 3's, fish oil, exercise daily and go to Mass..also our Church's Perpetual Adoration Chapel...prayer is a powerful thing, as you well know, Therese...the older I have gotten the simpler my lifestyle..the little things mean so much more...I count my blessings and thank God for all that He has done for me...

I certainly don't suggest or imply that drugs don't have a place..only speaking for myself...and NOT beating up on myself and loving and accepting myself(finally!) has made the biggest difference..praise GOD!

I salute you for your work, inspiration and drive to help others...God bless you!