The Valedictorian of Being Dead: My Struggle with Suicidal Depression

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From New York Times bestselling author and blogger Heather B. Armstrong comes an honest and irreverent memoirreminiscent of the New York Times bestseller Brain on Fireabout her experience as the third person ever to participate in an experimental treatment for depression involving ten rounds of a chemically induced coma approximating brain death.

For years, Heather B. Armstrong has alluded to her struggle with depression on her website, dooce. Its scattered throughout her archive, where it weaves its way through posts about pop culture, music, and motherhood. In 2016, Heather found herself in the depths of a depression she just couldnt shake, an episode darker and longer than anything she had previously experienced. She had never felt so discouraged by the thought of waking up in the morning, and it threatened to destroy her life. For the sake of herself and her family, Heather decided to risk it all by participating in an experimental clinical trial.

Now, for the first time, Heather recalls the torturous eighteen months of suicidal depression she endured and the month-long experimental study in which doctors used propofol anesthesia to quiet all brain activity for a full fifteen minutes before bringing her back from a flatline. Ten times. The experience wasnt easy. Not for Heather or her family. But a switch was flipped, and Heather hasnt experienced a single moment of suicidal depression since.

Breathtakingly honest (Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author), self-deprecating, and scientifically fascinating, The Valedictorian of Being Dead brings to light a groundbreaking new treatment for depression.

The Valedictorian of Being Dead was previously published with the subtitle The True Story of Dying Ten Times to Live.

Reviews

Breathtakingly honest, this story is a bridge to empathy and a bright beacon of hope. Im telling everyone to read this book.Lisa Genova,New York Timesbestselling author ofStill Alice
"InThe Valedictorian of Being Dead,Heather Armstrong carries the reader along her fascinating journey out of the abyss of depression,intricately weaving the threads of family, suffering, and scientific breakthrough.This touching memoir, full of scenes both silly and profound, manages to shock, educate, and inspire."Alex Korb PhD, author of The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time.
"I was moved by this real, raw, hilarious and deeply personal story of one woman's epic battle with major depression and found myself cheering for Heather and her entire family by the end of book."Wendy A. Suzuki, PhD, author ofHealthy Brain, Happy Life
A story of courage, hope, love, and science overcoming the despair of depression. It is a must read for mental health professionals and those touched by depressiontheir own or that of a loved one.Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, internationally bestselling author ofThe Woman Who Changed Her Brain
I read The Valedictorian of Being Dead cover to cover in four hours. I cried and cried; it was so beautiful and honest and scary and real. I think this book will be so helpful for a lot of people living with depression, especially parents. Grace Bonney, creator of Design*Spongeand New York Times bestselling author of In the Company of Women
As the lead anesthesiologist on the study, it was emotional for me to hear of Heathers experience. She helped me to gain some understanding about what folks go through when they are sick, what the experience of treatment was for her and her loved ones, and what the treatment now means to her. Scott C. Tadler, MD, University of Utah School of Medicine
Candid.intriguing.cathartic.an experiential blow-by-blow chronicle.an unvarnished account of a boundary-pushing procedure and patient.Kirkus
Armstrongs detailed, honest, and conversational writing reads like a friend pouring her heart out, giving readers an emotional portrait of what it is like for individuals and their loved ones to struggle with serious depression. Booklist

Author Bio

Heather B. Armstrongis widely acknowledged to be the most popular mommy blogger in the world. Her website, dooce, has twice been listed as one of the 25 best blogs in the world byTime magazineandForbeslisted it as a top 100 website for women. In the eighteen years that Heather has been shaping the internet writing community, shes worked to create targeted content not only for fellow parents but also for numerous global brandsincluding Ford, Nintendo, and Cloroxand written aNew York Timesbestseller,It Sucked and ThenI Cried. She lives in Salt Lake City with her two lovely daughters and an insane herding dog.