Escaping the Rabbit Hole
My Journey Through Depression
Tracey Maxfield
- Paperback: 186 pages
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (February 27, 2018)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1981165789
- ISBN-13: 978-1981165780
- Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
Description
On August 20, 2015, after enduring years of intense workplace stress, bullying and harassment, Tracey Maxfield, a hard-working, highly skilled, caring and compassionate nurse, hurtled headfirst down into an abyss of darkness, despair, pain, and sorrow (she affectionately named the rabbit hole). Despite being no stranger to depression, having made its acquaintance many times throughout the years, nothing could have prepared her for what was about to happen to her life, her heart, her soul, her very being. Escaping the Rabbit Hole: My Journey Through Depression is a brutally honest, raw, and vivid description of what life is like after experiencing an acute depressive episode. Through a series of blog posts, journal entries and a letter to self, Tracey shares the excruciating emotional and physical pain she endured, the never-ending feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness and sadness which left her inert and unable to function, and her ongoing battle against DBS (death by suicide). Every single day, she had to make a choice: to fight the battle to live or to surrender and die. She chose to live, and so began her most difficult and challenging life journey yet, to try and escape the rabbit hole. This book is a must-read for anyone living with depression or caring for someone with depression, and for anyone who wants to know more about this greatly misunderstood mental health illness. Tracey shows us that words can be powerful and healing, and with time, it is possible to emerge from the rabbit hole of darkness and despair and reclaim your life. This is a story of courage, of hope, and of never giving up.
My Thoughts
Tracey Maxfield started this read as a safe place to document her journey through depression and to provide some insight and education in the world of depression. She states, "When you are in the rabbit hole, everything changes. The person you once were disappears, the life you once had is gone, and you have to start all over again. Your life revolves around time and tasks."
Yes. Depression is real and you may not even realize you have it.
We're informed conversations may sound one-sided. Depressed people talk about themselves, use negative words and use terms such as "always," and "never."
Chances are if you have not had depression, you know someone who is struggling with it.
Throughout Tracey's life, she has been familiar with depression. Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. It can range from mild to severe and causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems which can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
Tracey was also diagnosed with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder); PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault, etc.
How do you handle it when the family is pressuring you- when society is pressuring you- when your career is demanding more?
Do you ever tell yourself it's ok not to be ok?
This read is not watered down. It is achingly thought-provoking! We read her journal entries and see her struggle with depression and battle with DBS. And we question, is this where her world ends?
We ask ourselves questions like what do we do - how do we help?
We listen! We support!
Not to fix anything, or do anything in particular,
But just to let us feel that we are cared for and supported.
- Anonymous"
Tracey Maxfield provides information on her journey through depression. She informs all how to escape the rabbit hole with treatment, coping, and support. More importantly, she shows there is help, healing, hope, and life after depression.
I received this book through the generosity of the author for an honest review.