Powerful content and passionately written.
Feature image credit: Penguin Books Australia
CW: depression
You know when you open the first page of a book, start reading and think to yourself, finally, someone with no agenda?
Professor and author Ian Hickie sets the expectation in his opening chapter, aptly titled “Is there really a need for another book about depression?” Hickie’s publication The Devil You Knew is designed to dispel myths and comes from a place of passionate desire to see his patients heal. As he notes, he wants to clear a few things up, and by that, I mean a lot of things. A lot of myths.
It may not suit all audiences as the text is small and the information dense. Despite not entirely comprising technical content, the narrative requires readers’ perseverance due to its weighty and extensive quality.
Hickie assists the reader by providing much variation in literary structure, such as splitting it into four parts which can be read independently if there are specific answers you are looking for to begin with. Part one is the longest, consists of eight chapters on clinical depression, and focuses on the recovery journey. Part two is on the causes of depression, many of which are genetic. Part three is the biology of depression, and part four is about the treatment processes. Hickie intersperses many case studies throughout the text which serves to provide the reader with hope.
Hickie does not take a sensationalistic journalistic approach in his publication, nor does he restrict his guidance in the book to only the patient; he also provides reassurances to their loved ones. He talks about the systemic failure that pervades our medical system and suggests ways forward. He talks about how depression in many cases is not linked to a one-off trauma despite how it looks to the observer and how it feels to the patient.
With 35 years of clinical experience, and 25 years in the public domain as an academic and as the inaugural CEO of Beyond Blue, Hickie knows this world inside out. One can rest assured that his data is valid, even if challenged by some of his sentiments. Moreover, he emphasises that the only way forward is personalised, pragmatic, and requires a professionally endorsed process of self-discovery.
Reviewed by Rebecca Wu
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Penguin Books Australia
Released: October 2023
RRP: $34.99
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