A personal essay that imparts vital new knowledge about the often hidden roots of depression and other misunderstood disorders in the kind of childhood trauma that occurs in alcoholic households and other dysfunctional families.
While searching for the roots of a puzzling and overpowering depression that abruptly struck in mid-life, the author attempts to navigate our antiquated mental healthcare system to find effective diagnosis and treatment. Along the way he learns some surprising lessons about this increasingly common but misunderstood illness. In the end the story behind the illness reaches back decades, exemplifying the destructive potential of childhood trauma resulting from an alcoholic parent and a dysfunctional family.
Professional Reviews
By David A. Karp, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, author, and depression survivor:
Tony Giordano writes with admirable clarity, has an important tale to tell, and makes persuasive arguments about the genesis of depression. I recognized parts of myself in Tony's story and I think this will be equally true for other readers. His story will provide a road map for others who are befuddled by their feelings of depression. The book does something distinctive – almost a new genre of writing – by shuttling between a personal story and analysis of the childhood-trauma roots of depression.
Bruce E. Levine, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and author:
It's Not All In Your Head is written by a depression sufferer who has personally experienced 'the propaganda of the pharmaceutical and insurance managed-care industries' as well as the impotence of simplistic cognitive-behavioral therapies. I applaud Tony Giordano's insistence on the too often neglected significance of psychological trauma and his brave efforts to discover truths and heal.
This book operationalizes the profound teachings of the Enneagram so that coaches and other growth-oriented professionals can use specific processes,tools and strategies to empower and support the transformation of their clients.
