A work of fiction that reveals the facts about depression

Martin Homer is a doctor, a GP, who is loved and trusted not only by his patients but by all those around him, including his wife, Sarah. His ready smile, happy and steady disposition, plus his outstanding empathy earn him the nickname Sunny. He is an all-round nice guy, faithful to his wife and a devoted son to his mother.

The beautiful Bella Donna appears to be a charming and capable woman, but hides dark secrets, including a string of unsuccessful romantic attachments and an odd variety of employment choices.

When Martin finds his father committed suicide and his mother dies of cancer just after, he is thrown into a deep depression, which he bounces out of into a manic high. It is then the two worlds of Martin and Bella collide, with disastrous consequences for both.

The author of In Two Minds, Professor Gordon Parker, is the founder of the Black Dog Institute, which helps those with depression and related mental health issues. Dr Parker hopes to destigmatise these illnesses by combining fiction and his research into bipolar and depression to create characters we can empathise and relate to and so normalise these conditions to some extent. I have had depression myself and think this is a wonderful idea, as there are some who believe I should “just get over it”. Not very helpful.

The story shows how easy it is, even for a medical man such as Martin, to fall prey to mental illness due to circumstance and/or genetics. Martin is an engaging ‘hero’, while the damaged Bella is not so likeable, we come to realise that she is a product of her environment.

There is an odd chapter about a woman’s group – the Trophettes – that perhaps, could have been deleted entirely. But the insight into Martin’s and Bella’s thinking is extraordinary and clever, especially Martin’s mania. If you are well read, some of the sly references to literature will have you smiling. And a warning, the middle couple of chapters have torrid sex scenes.

As Stephen Fry notes, you may just recognise someone you know, even yourself. And a worrying statistic is that bipolar is over-represented in creative people, especially writers and Prime Ministers!

This is a good read that I enjoyed; it is not quick and some of it is challenging. If you are interested in mental illness, this is definitely worthwhile.

In Two Minds by Professor Gordon Parker is available now from Dymocks. Click here to learn more.