Friday, November 30, 2012

Black Dog


Black Dog
By Reverend John R. Dolan

A topic that remains largely un-discussed and swept under the rug, anxiety and depression are very real problems for many people today. It is seldom that one can get a glimpse into what that world is truly like unless suffering from the illness themselves.

In an attempt to expose the topic with brutal honesty and give a glimpse into that dark world, Dolan's book Black Dog opens the door into a real, life long struggle through his personal story. Readers walk with the author through his life and encounter his struggles with what he coined the "Black Dog" (anxiety and depression). Along the way, the Black Dog lurks and surfaces at times, while laying low in others, and through it all, readers are given a fresh look into this heavy topic.

Hope is offered to readers as the see how help was found and the Black Dog was leashed for Dolan. In his soul baring honesty, Dolan offers readers a chance to discover hope if they are also facing the struggles of depression and anxiety. In addition, readers see how truly real and debilitating life can be, reasons why people fighting these illnesses might act the way they do, and find ways to help and relate.

As the wife of someone who currently has his own Black Dog, I found this book an eye opener as well as an encouragement. My husband also read the book on my recommendation and was encouraged as well as felt in company with Dolan and relieved that many of his personal emotions had been put into words by another. He said he felt as if someone had written from his mind the emotions, struggles, fears and many other feelings so wrapped up into dealing with depression and anxiety.

We are both glad to have read this book and grateful to the author for having shared in such a unique and honest way so as to help, educate and encourage others.

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.combook review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”