The other day I was at a book store, and I was looking at some books in the “for dummies” series. You have probably heard of them. Some examples include “Marketing for Dummies” or “Gardening for Dummies”. There is also a similar series called the “complete idiot’s guide”. Both series cover a wide variety of topics with the aim of helping people to understand that particular subject. As I was looking at these books, I started to wonder…do they have books in these series about depression?
Turns out that they do. Now, I am not sure why I find this so interesting, but maybe it was because I found myself conflicted by these publications’ existence. On the plus side, I love that they included depression as a topic just like any other. I think that shows an openness that you don’t always see around mental illness. I also think that anyone involved in these books about depression have the highest and purest aims to publish information that they think would be helpful to their readers.
On the down side, I am not so sure depression is a topic that can be seriously discussed in these types of books. To begin with the titles, you are already being called a dummy or an idiot, and if you are depressed that may not come off as funny. Then, although I honestly cannot say for sure, the content in the books might try to neatly package a mental illness that isn’t well suited for a pretty bow on top. Again, that is speculation on my part, but something to consider.
Overall, while it struck me as odd at first, I am open to different ideas and ways to get information about depression out there. If people can benefit from the information, that is really all that matters.