The Valedictorian of Being Dead

The True Story of Dying Ten Times to Live

De: Heather B. Armstrong

Narrado por: Heather B. Armstrong

From New York Times bestselling author and blogger Heather B. Armstrong comes an honest and irreverent memoir—reminiscent of the New York Times bestseller Brain on Fire—about 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. It’s 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 couldn’t 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 wasn’t easy. Not for Heather or her family. But a switch was flipped, and Heather hasn’t 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.”

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Heather B. Armstrong narrates her own memoir of treatment-resistant depression with groundbreaking vocal intensity. She bravely welcomes listeners inside her painful, yet often hilarious, internal dialogue. She isn't portraying emotional desperation—she relives it for listeners. Her voice cracks because she is really crying as she screams for relief from her ceaseless desire not to be alive. This is why listeners will be surprised at how funny Armstrong can be. Her raw portrayal of the daily struggles of depression is juxtaposed with her laugh-out-loud navigation of an experimental treatment for depression. Listeners will root for Armstrong's brain to 'reboot' as she undergoes anesthesia, to quiet all brain activity, 10 times. Armstrong's powerfully honest performance is sure to enhance every listener's understanding of clinical depression."

Connection

This experience is about more than just depression. It's about family, friends, and connections with other people that you may never expect have a bearing on your life. I'm not going to even attempt to discuss the obvious details.. Ms Armstrong eloquently and unabashedly shares everything about the experience to take you through that journey that you'll never forget. My additional take away is that we should be grateful for our connections to other people - good or bad - because it shapes our opportunities and reminds me that we are who we are because of other people. What a lovely thing it was too share this with us.

Poignant and hopeful

I love this book. Hearing Heather read it was icing on the cake. This book has resonated with me and has helped me better understand myself (in some ways) as well as others. It is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. I think it is a must-read for anyone who is suffering from mental illness or has a loved one who suffers.

I was also fascinated by some of the technical aspects of her procedures and found the afterward to be helpful as well. I highly recommend this book! Thank you for writing it, Heather.

Amazing!

Your vibe and message is inspiring- thank you for sharing. I have recommended your book to many people who suffer from anxiety and depression. showing them there is hope and to keep moving forward because someday something anything could work!

An accurate view of depression - a heartbreaking end.

As someone that struggles with my own mental health issues, I can 100% understand and empathize with Heather. Her voice was so raw in certain parts you could just feel it in your soul the pain she was going through. Someone posted a “review” that they couldn’t understand cause she was complaining about mundane things - it goes to show how much people still need to learn about mental health and what exactly it entails. When you have to fight with yourself just to open your eyes, to brush your teeth, to eat even then you can have a glimpse of an idea of what it is like. Mundane things are what life is all about so not being able to complete even the most mundane things should show you how bad it is. You just want to stop existing. I’m so sorry that she relapsed and that there was no help at the very end to stop her from ending it all. She really did seem like she had new found hope. I’ll definitely recommend this book to anyone - especially single moms/parents that are going through it.

Chilling to Read Now

RIP Heather. This was very sobering to read what she went through during her journey with depression and the lengths she took to fight to stay alive. It's so sad that post-book, another chapter closed her book of life. Rest in peace!