Depression in Non-fiction literature: An Exploration of The Effects on The Depressed Person and Significant Others Incorporating an Original Memoir

Abstract

The major objective of this study is to offer insight and information about depression and how memoirs could benefit both patients and their respective social circles. Thorough background information about depression will be given, to demonstrate the symptoms and effects of the disease on patients and their social circles. After that, works by David Foster Wallace, Elizabeth Wurtzel and William Styron will provide insight in how such memoirs are structured, supported by studies on how these stories could benefit the situation a patient might be in. In conclusion, this thesis argues that memoirs on depression could very well benefit patients and their loved ones, but more research into bibliotherapy is still very much needed. The aim is to create an environment for patients to feel accepted and comfortable enough to share their own experiences with depression and receive support from loved ones as a backbone to seek treatment, or as a part of treatment in itself.