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Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness
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Product Description
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #629887 in Books
- Published on: 2008-10-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 256 pages
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
In her efforts to subdue raging depression, TV and stage writer Aron tried to no avail virtually every mainstream and alternative remedy. Her adventures among the lunatic fringe are laugh-out-loud funny. In the end, Aron gets her life together by dismissing all of the "miracle cures" and discovering herself. Anyone who has overcome recurring bouts with the blues will relish this comic self-help tale.—Lynne Maxwell
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Aron draws on her training as a screenwriter and her experience as a television sitcom writer to tell a hysterically funny account of one woman’s quest for happiness. Having battled depression in her twenties, Aron finds that being forced to do the same in her forties is downright, well . . . depressing—even to the point of longing for the good ol’ days when psychological problems forced her to be hospitalized. But this time she realizes that she can’t rely totally on her beloved therapist but must devise a method to improve herself. Her “master plan” for fixing everything from her relationships with her mother and with men to her weight and health goes awry in multiple ways, all of which she recounts with endearing self-deprecating humor. Among the missteps are a self-help class (in which the instructor preaches that posture is the key to happiness) and a try at speed dating (where one date wept for his dead wife). In the end, Aron finds a “new plan,” one that involves acceptance, forgiveness, and gratitude. This engrossing, thoroughly entertaining memoir offers both a delightfully ironic view of the self-help industry and, at the same time, an inspiring personal story of recovery that will resonate with women of all ages and situations. --Mary Frances Wilkens
Review
"A hysterically funny account of one woman’s quest for happiness. This engrossing, thoroughly entertaining memoir offers . . . an inspiring personal story of recovery that will resonate with women of all ages and situations." —Booklist
"Sparing no one—especially herself—Aron delivers a no-holds-barred tour through the depressive's circles of hell, from childhood mortifications to self-esteem workshops. Writing with warmth, candor, and a quick wit, Aron reminds readers that we can survive anything, even ourselves." —Jennifer Traig, author, Devil in the Details and Well Enough Alone
"For anyone who's ever been depressed, who's ever been in (and out of) therapy, or who may one day contemplate the arduous path of what we loosely refer to as mental health, this is a wonderfully intimate, honest, witty, and inspiring book." —Joseph J. Luciani, PhD, author, Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety & Depression
Customer Reviews
It's all my mother's fault!
Tracing her problems back to her non supportive family, the author embarks on a year long journey to close her 'misery gap'and help her anxiety and depression. While taking a series of self help classes, esteem building seminars, and creativity courses,she discovers that she is not alone in her feelings and that life is all a matter of perception. Along the way she also finds time to try speed dating,personal relationship counseling and weight watchers meetings. Aromatherapy and assertiveness training round out the search and add to the growth process. If this is not enough to contend with, there is her mother and the 'High Priestess of Marketing' at work. These chapters will have you laughing out loud. Although this is a work of non-fiction, it does not read like it. Ms. Aron treats a serious subject with a fresh perspective and her writing is incredibly witty and humorous. Definitely a recommended read! The bibliography includes ten sources for more information about mental health. There is also an extensive list of web sites and organizations that can help.
Life's Difficulties Don't Have To Be Taken So Seriously
We are all faced with problems and difficulties throughout our life. When we can cope with them through humor, we not only help ourselves but others. Wendy Aron has given us humor and also encouragement as we deal with our own issues. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to find a way not to take their problems so seriously. While depression is definitely a serious matter, isn't it so much better to laugh than to cry? Two thumbs up, Wendy.
Bull's-eye
As a Long Islander who went through very similar experiences with esteem-building classes, weight-loss meetings, and New Age workshops, I found myself saying "Aha!" page after page and thinking back, trying to remember if it was Ms. Aron who sat beside me in my own class, meeting, or workshop. She has nailed what life was like on the Island during those years for a young, unmarried woman carrying a few extra pounds, a few extra neuroses, and good helping of depression. Even more amazing, she has made me laugh about it! But don't get me wrong--you don't need to be a woman from Long Island to enjoy this book. Men and women, from Seattle, Tampa, or anywhere in between, can pick up some new insight, gain a new perspective, and enjoy a hearty laugh or two.
