My Depression (the Up and Down and Up of It)

Gr 8 Up—Since so many people suffer from clinical depression, this animated HBO documentary film provides an entertaining and humorous yet informative introduction to the illness as told from the perspective of a young woman living with it who finds professional help. It's based on a picture book of the same name by Elizabeth Swados (Hyperion, 2005) and features the voice of Sigourney Weaver as the main character, red-headed Liz. (Swados also cowrote the musical score.) The short film depicts the highs and lows of depression and doesn't shy away from describing the psychic pain of sufferers. It portrays the symptoms, emotions, diagnoses, and treatments using comedy, music, and the "little black cloud" one often associates with the condition. In addition, it also attempts to combat the stigma about depression and the way people who have it are often treated. One segment talks about growing up with the illness in a way that would be quite appropriate to share with a high school-aged crowd.