Prozac Nation Paperback – April 2, 2002

It is true that the descriptions of Wurtzel's behavior would at times make the reader extremely unsympathetic, and it is very probable that the same story could have been told with about a hundred or so less pages. These are the reasons I could not justify five stars. But it is extremely worthy of four because whereas Wurtzel is not the most loveable of protagonists, she is extremely skilled in describing what it is like to experience depression. As a long-time sufferer of this condition, I know what it is like to not be able to find the words to explain to friends and family that you just dont know why you feel like crying and how hard it is to simply get out of bed in the morning. Depression is not well understood by many as even well-meaning people feel you ought to beable to just pull yourself up by your boot straps and get a grip on life. But its not that simple. Too many people view it as simply feeling sorry for oneself, but I dont think anybody would just WANT to feel down and out all the time. Depressives are constantly looking at other people and wishing they could laugh as much and be as upbeat. They are wishing, as Wurtzel put it, that they wont wake up afraid they are going to live. And while perhaps not as desparate as Wurtzel was concerning Rafe, I can undoubtedly relate to the feeling of wishing that there is someone who can "save" you from yourself. She described the black wave so well that I cried throughout the entire reading that someone knew and understood what I too felt but was not able to explain. And for that reason alone this book is an important read. Put aside the whiny instances that made Wurtzel unlikeable and focus more on her descriptions of what it feels like to go through this pain. Its helpful to sufferers to know that they are not alone and an important eye-opener to others that depression is not a self pity party, but a serious condition that should be treated as such.

Elizabeth Wurtzel tells a compelling and tragic tale of a bright young life that was almost ruined by the disease of depression. She does a good job of painting a picture for the reader, showing what it was like to live inside her head during her most depressed states. The honesty with which she bares her disease for all to see is remarkable and brave. What sometimes puts the reader off a bit is her tendency for self-indulgence and self-absorption.True, this is a book about herself, but at the same time, there isn't any allowance for an opposing point of view at key moments in her suffering. For most of the book, Wurtzel's mother is seen as nothing more than whiny and weak, and that simply can't be true of a woman who raised a Harvard-educated child on her own. We're never given more than a glimpse at Wurtzel's friends, either, who clearly played a large role in her recovery from depression, especially when she enrolls in Harvard and is away from her mother.Nevertheless, this is a powerful tale of a disease that many Americans still don't fully understand. The Epilogue is perhaps the most important part of this book, as it details the increasing diagnosis of depression in our society, and highlights why books like Prozac Nation are becoming more and more important.

I downloaded this to read after I saw the author’s obituary in The NY Times. It’s one of those books that had been on my radar for a long time but the persona of Elizabeth Wurtzel was kind of a turn-off (spoiled, self-absorbed, privileged). But I was totally impressed once I started reading, and finished it in three sittings. She is so articulate in describing what deep, wretched depression is like that I couldn’t help but feel compassion and admiration for her honesty and bravery. She had to know that a lot of people would be judgmental about her experience, yet she persisted and bared her soul for all to see. Knowing that she died of breast cancer makes her struggle all the more poignant.The book is also interesting in the wake of what we’re learning about medications for depression and how many of the drugs, like Prozac, that showed much promise, are proving to be little better than placebo. We actually know so little about the brain!

Not sure why I didn't read this 25 years ago! It might have helped me get through some of my own difficult times.I kept thinking there's no way I'll want to finish this book; it's so long.But I did finish it because it tells the story of so many people. Yes, young people, but also middle-aged and older Americans.Wurtzel describes so many things that I could relate to. It's funny that she talks about being a teen in her twenties. I was a teen in my forties! But, Prozac scared the crap out of me so I fought through my depression and, finally marrying the right guy at 49 made a huge difference. He accepted me the way I am (tho, of course, we're always changing) and with that acceptance, I was able to start working toward my dreams.I can say, for sure, writing helps.

I read Prozac Nation because I had heard it was a good book and I myself have been struggling with depression for a lifetime. I have a family history of it (brothers and grandparent's suicides), plus traumatic childhood.Although my despair has been nothing compared to Wurtzel's, I found common themes in her life and my own. She is a perfectionist, like me, which stems from intense fear of failure. I am also a "cutter" and struggle with alcohol. I am not a drug addict, but probably could have been if I hadn't seen a therapist when I did.I didn't like the way she insulted anyone who is NOT AS depressed as her. Like its some kind of contest. Just because I've never been on lithium, I'm not "good" at being depressed?! Many of us have difficult childhoods and are able to overcome it. Wurtzel seems to bask in her misery. I think the title is fitting - it succintly describes the typical American life these days. We feel sorry for ourselves and take pills to get a little peace. Me included! I take Prozac, it helps me feel better, and who cares why?! Wurtzel seems obsessed with making us realize her misery. I don't WANT to be miserable anymore; but she seems to enjoy it.

An overly long self-centred splurge of a narration chronicling the clinical depression of ‘Ellie’ / ‘Lizzie’ Wurtzel as she passes through childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. It is basically autobiographical and pretty entertaining to read but is also overly detailed, frivolous and sensationalist in places. This of course reflects her illness though – she is eventually diagnosed with atypical depression.The one big issue I have is that despite all this apparent depression Wurtzel maintains her studies at Harvard University, writes articles in her spare time and holds down a summer job as a journalist in Texas. Simply put: she can’t ever have been that messed up or else she would never have been able to do these things. The activities she was doing would surely have required huge amounts of energy (?)The thing that saves this book – obviously – is Prozac. When the drug is finally prescribed and eventually kicks in after a few weeks Wurtzel’s depression and anxieties disappear, her prose style reflecting this by shedding its erratic quality and becoming more level-headed and informative. She ends by meditating upon her current ‘Prozac Nation’, that is, the apparent apathetic 1990s – encapsulated by the film Slacker and the rise and death of the band Nirvana.

I read this book when it was first published ,how times have changed in mental health for the better.The book when it appeared caused an enormous reaction but today in 2022 not so.There have been many thousands of books on the authors journey through mental illness and recovery I feel if Prozac nation appeared today no-one would notice.

I have just finished reading this book, it took me a few days to read.As a person struggling with depression I wanted to read something by someone whom had battled a similiar ailment so after searching I chose Prozac nation.Its an ok read, nothing spectacular, the author is obviously well educated and articulate by the way she writes. Towards the middle of the book I started to get fed up and frustrated at the author but I soon got back into it by the end just as I did at the begining.I wouldnt read this book again as it is quite draining but I would recommend this book to others.

I resonate so deeply with this book, I connect with what Elizabeth Wurtzel experienced and hearing it from someone else is incredibly comforting. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Everyone should read this, it’s beautiful.

Wurtzel writes about depression better than anyone else I know apart from William Styron in "Darkness Visible". Time and again she comes up with a phrase or expression that stopped me reading and made me think - yes, that's just what it's like to be depressed. Her narrative is easy to read and she makes her life interesting even for someone who has no experience of depression. Ultimately, though, I found the book ended too abruptly. I am pleased for her sake that Prozac saved her from further depressive episodes - or so it seems - but my own experience of depression has left me with no confidence in the redeeming power of drugs. So, a good read, some interesting insights into a depressed mind, but not a definitive guide to how depression can end.