Shoot The Damn Dog Analysis

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“Shoot the Damn Dog” is written by Sally Brampton, a successful magazine editor and prize-winning journalist; who would have thought that behind a very successful and glamorous career, as the editor of Elle and then of Red, was a story that many (of her friends and colleagues) knew nothing about “Depression”. She struggled with ongoing, severe depression and alcoholism. It was the hardest thing for her as she described the struggle in her book “I found that a steady stream of alcohol together with Valium and Xanax, prescribed by the psychiatrist could ease the blackness of my days and into the night when I took a sleeping pill found complete oblivion for few hours” (Brampton, 2008, p.175). Sally Brampton was a very successful person, and living …show more content…
I have a man, a child, a cat, friends, a successful career..." (Brampton, 2008, p.162). Finally, she sought professional help. She was prescribed with various types of drugs, attended many therapy sessions, spent time in many psychiatric hospitals, but this was just a beginning of a long journey. She would go months feeling robust, energetic, and upbeat, full of life but then, out of nowhere, depression would strike like a bullet again. Sally described in the story how depression is defined according to The diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Mild to moderate depression includes the first two symptoms and at least one other. Severe depression is the first two symptoms and at least two weeks without significant improvement. 1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by wither subjective report or observation made by others. In children and adolescents, this can manifest as irritable mood. 2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, almost all, activates of the day, nearly every day. 3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain, or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. 4. Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping excessively) nearly

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