Depression, In Italy

I am determined to finish reading Elizabeth Gilbert‘s “Eat, Pray, Love” – before I get swept away by the movie and what would surely be a feast of colours, culture and food of Italy, India and Indonesia.

So far, it has been worth it – every 104 pages of it, which is where I am currently and which in her setting, is Italy.

Imagine, hankering for a taste of an Italian dessert that does not even sounds that amazing – but if she is willing to forgo heaven for it, it must be that good. Or wishing that I too could meet divine Italian men who will teach me to say Attraversiamo or learn L’arte D’arrangiarsi.

But in the midst of elegant Italian phrases, cultural quirks (Italian men hung out at bakeries after football games – to eat cream puffs…) and the delightful food, she spoke about something equally captivating – personal and profound.

Depression and Suicide.

That she was severely depressed for years and at one point succumbed to taking antidepressants and sleep aid to stop her suicidal thoughts. She didn’t know what caused her despair, what triggered the endless sobbings, the urge to take her life to end her sufferings.

And if even her – someone so accomplished, so privileged, talented and in many ways, blessed – could fall under depression, it shows that this is not something that happens to only that sort of people.

And if you read the way she tried to rise above her misery, it is also clear that this is not something people could just snap out of it if only they would try harder.

But serious subject aside, it is now on to Naples – where she experienced Italy’s best margherita pizza with double mozzarella —->