“People say, "I have heart disease," not "I am heart disease." Somehow the presumption of a person's individuality is not compromised by those diagnostic labels. All the labels tell us is that the person has a specific challenge with which… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
I should come with a consumer warning, like the labels that say "Handle with care" or "May be hazardous to your health." I am unfit for human consumption. I struggle to articulate how awful and isolating this feels, but I… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
I'm getting less good at faking it. People in my family are noticing and asking what's wrong. My friends give me invitations to talk,… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
I would never kill myself intentionally. I couldn't do that to my family, my friends ... But to have fate step in and give… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
The infinity of this vacancy, the pervasive pain, the longing for some spirit, some lightness, some joy - that's all that is left. — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“She reports the breakup of the relationship as if she is presenting a case in court - all facts, no feeling. I lean forward… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“In the psychological literature, depression is often seen as a defense against sadness. But I'll take sadness any day. There is no contest. Sadness… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“Suffer from depression." That's right. It is suffering. A person does not just have depression. She suffers from it.” — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“He throws a quick arm around me and quotes a line we've always loved from The New Hampshire Hotel, "Keep passing the open windows.” — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“There is no getting away from a wave that has got your name on it. The tide will come in whether you want it… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
I always feel bad laughing at people who act crazy. But sometimes the things they do are so damned funny. I wonder what I'd… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“All the romantic nonsense about depression somehow making one into a creature of unique sensibilities is easy to agree with when I feel good.… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“I look at other people and think, "He lives without meds. She does. What is wrong with me? Am I so biochemically screwed up,… — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
“I didn’t want to die because I hated myself; I wanted to die because I loved myself enough to want this pain to end.” — Martha Manning Copy Share Image
