A review by madisongturner
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

4.25

Matt Haig does a great job of combining a memoir with practical advice for surviving depression and anxiety. The descriptions of what it's like to experience depressive episodes or panic attacks are vivid, but so incredibly accurate. I felt so seen for what I have experienced, and comforted by the knowledge that others have survived this illness. He does a great job of pointing out the little things we live for-basking in the sun, having a birthday, going for a run. Whatever the little thing you live for might be, you can cling to it as you go through dark times and know that one day you can reflect on your bank of bad days from a different perspective. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness

If you are at a moment in your life where the graphic descriptions of depression and suicidal ideation are difficult for you, I would recommend waiting to read this. For me, I found it helpful to know someone else had made it through, but exercise judgment in what might be triggering for you. Reach out, call 988 (if in the US) and know that you can make it through too.