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cgj13 's review for:
Fast Girl: A Life Spent Running from Madness
by Suzy Favor Hamilton
Wow, just wow.
Its difficult to comprehend that this is a work of non fiction. Suzy delivers her story in a true matter of fact manner. As many stories dealing with mental health issues, this one shows how complex disorders are, and how difficult getting to a diagnosis can be. Even in the midst of her most destructive behaviors, it was hard for her and her husband to recognize that something was fundamentally wrong, or, probably more true to the fact, that self preservation was kicking in.
Based on what she wrote, Suzy Favor Hamiliton's mental illness started in childhood, and there is even a familial history with her brother. And the shame, hiding, and ignoring culture surrounding mental illness. At times she seems dismissive of her family's distance because of her fame, but I think that is part of her perception of reality.
Many people can't comprehend how her husband stood by her side. The time she spent as an escort was about a year, and in the span of time of her marriage, that isn't much at all. I view it as her husband, who had seen his wife so unhappy for so many years, starting to see her happiness return, willing to do what it took to keep her happy. Even swallowing his needs to help her.
Mental illness is such a complex, difficult affliction--you cant see it. It doesn't always make sense. It can be slow growing and morphing that you don't see the changes happening. Until its someone you don't recognize anymore.
Suzy was entirely true in the fact that she wasn't getting what she needed out of therapy because she wasn't be honest to them. That is one of the hardest things about seeking help-- you have to be willing to be 100% honest, with your therapist, and especially yourself, before you can even begin to get to the core of the issue. Another hard part that she touches on, is that she had to own up to her depression by admitting it to a complete stranger before she could even get an appointment. The obstacles put into place in our healthcare system to get people the help they need early on, before it's a crisis situation is appalling.
It is scary to think about what would have happened to Suzy Favor Hamilton had she not been outed when she did.
Its difficult to comprehend that this is a work of non fiction. Suzy delivers her story in a true matter of fact manner. As many stories dealing with mental health issues, this one shows how complex disorders are, and how difficult getting to a diagnosis can be. Even in the midst of her most destructive behaviors, it was hard for her and her husband to recognize that something was fundamentally wrong, or, probably more true to the fact, that self preservation was kicking in.
Based on what she wrote, Suzy Favor Hamiliton's mental illness started in childhood, and there is even a familial history with her brother. And the shame, hiding, and ignoring culture surrounding mental illness. At times she seems dismissive of her family's distance because of her fame, but I think that is part of her perception of reality.
Many people can't comprehend how her husband stood by her side. The time she spent as an escort was about a year, and in the span of time of her marriage, that isn't much at all. I view it as her husband, who had seen his wife so unhappy for so many years, starting to see her happiness return, willing to do what it took to keep her happy. Even swallowing his needs to help her.
Mental illness is such a complex, difficult affliction--you cant see it. It doesn't always make sense. It can be slow growing and morphing that you don't see the changes happening. Until its someone you don't recognize anymore.
Suzy was entirely true in the fact that she wasn't getting what she needed out of therapy because she wasn't be honest to them. That is one of the hardest things about seeking help-- you have to be willing to be 100% honest, with your therapist, and especially yourself, before you can even begin to get to the core of the issue. Another hard part that she touches on, is that she had to own up to her depression by admitting it to a complete stranger before she could even get an appointment. The obstacles put into place in our healthcare system to get people the help they need early on, before it's a crisis situation is appalling.
It is scary to think about what would have happened to Suzy Favor Hamilton had she not been outed when she did.