What if depression were a blessing as well as a curse? This is a book about how depression can have benefits as well as costs, and how to reap those benefits while making yourself feel better—better, in fact, than ever before.Drawing on psychiatry, psychology, philosophy, and literature, Dr Neel Burton explores depression not only as an illness to be treated, but also as an opportunity for insight, growth, and transformation.Semi-finalist, the BookLife PrizeHighly Commended, the BMA Book AwardsYou have, in some sense, embarked on the hero's journey. Despite being ill-fated, despite starting out as a victim and underdog, the hero is able to rise up to life and experience it in its horror and fullness, rather than merely suffer or survive it and occasionally drink its dregs like so many of us do.In myth, the aspirant has to travel through hell, or deep into the forest or labyrinth, before slaying the monster and re-emerging as a hero.If your depression is the journey through the Inferno, then let this book be your guiding Virgil.If your depression is the descent into the Cretan labyrinth, then let this book be Ariadne's ball of red thread.A comprehensive, sympathetic, and thought-provoking guide for those who want to explore their depression in more depth. —The British Journal of PsychiatryNeel is an incredibly insightful and elegant writer, with a deep knowledge of all he surveys. —Dr James Davies, psychotherapist, author of CrackedI have read most of Dr. Neel Burton's books and have enjoyed them immensely … All in all, I found this to be a very insightful and engaging book on depression. —Jamie Bee, Amazon.com Top 50 ReviewerI've read many Neel Burton books. He's a wonderful writer and able to immerse you lightly in pretty heavy stuff. —Adrian Bailey, Vine VoiceAbout the authorDr Neel Burton FRSA is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and wine-lover who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. He is a Fellow of Green-Templeton College in the University of Oxford, and the winner of several book prizes. His work features regularly in the likes of Aeon and Psychology Today and has been translated into several languages.◆ Grab your copy now for a new and powerful way of looking at depression.