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Depression is the topic of this video. Violet, one of the main characters, suffers from depression after her sister dies in a car accident. The video discusses what exactly depression is and how it affects the brain. It also explains how medication is used to help counteract depression. Improvement of Violet’s depression can be seen throughout the novel as she learns to deal with life without her sister, and get back to doing the things she loves.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, October 6). Depression. Retrieved May 8, 2017, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/depression.htm

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (n.d.). Bipolar Disorder Statistics. Retrieved May 8, 2017, from Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance website: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_statistics_bipolar_disorder

Grohol, J. M., Psy. D. (n.d.). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved May 8, 2017, from Psych Central website: https://psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar/

Heller, K. (2016, May 17). Depression in Teens and Childrens. Retrieved May 8, 2017, from Psych Central website: https://psychcentral.com/lib/depression-in-teens-and-children/

National Institute of Mental Health. (2016, October). Depression. Retrieved May 8, 2017, from National Institute of Mental Health website: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

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Bipolar disorder consists of a manic and depressed phase. Manic symptoms include: significantly decreased need for sleep, increased activity level, and exaggerated positive outlook. Depressed symptoms include: difficulty concentrating, loss of energy and talk of suicide or death (Grohol).

Bipolar Disorder is thought of as a neurobiological disorder, dealing with serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenalin (Grohol)

5.7 million, or 2.6%, of Americans age 18 and up are affected by Bipolar Disorder (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)

Bipolar disorder has a genetic component with 2/3rds of the people with the disorder having 1 relative with the disorder (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance).

This disorder is the 6th leading cause of disability in the world (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)

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In 2014, the number of deaths by suicide due to depression was 42,773 which is about 13.4 deaths per 100,000 people (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

An individual who experiences 1 episode of depression is at a 50% risk of having another (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Depression symptoms must be present 2 weeks for a diagnosis to be given. Some symptoms include: persistent feelings of sadness, decreased energy, and thoughts of suicide (National Institute of Mental Health)

About 3 million teens ages 12-17 experienced at least 1 depression episode in 2015 ( National Institute of Mental Health)

Research has shown that 14 is the average age that depression begins (Heller)

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Passage

You deserve better. I can’t promise you I’ll stay around, not because I don’t want to. It’s hard to explain. I’m a fuckup. I’m broken, and no one can fix it. I’ve tried. I’m still trying. I can’t love anyone because it’s not fair to anyone who loves me back. I’ll never hurt you, not like I want to hurt Roamer. But I can’t promise I won’t pick you apart, piece by piece, until you’re in a thousand pieces, just like me. You should know what you’re getting into before getting involved.

Explanation

This is a point in the novel where Violet and Finch’s relationship is depicted clearly. Here Finch also states that he does have some sort of problem and that it’s not him just being a little weirder than the normal person. This passage pulled on my heartstrings, as it showed Finch letting Violet in and allowing her to see a side of him no one else has.

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Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places was an excellent, well written novel. This book had me absorb from the start, making it hard to put down. The characters of the plot were easy to connect with. Both Violet and Finch experienced things that no high school student should have to deal with. Furthermore, both of them were wary of sharing what was really going on with adults, due to the fact of how it may change their opinions of them. The development of Violet and Finch’s relationship also pulls the reader in. For instance, readers witness them as simply classmates who happen to be in the same place at the same time. As the novel continues you witness the unfolding of a friendship, which later becomes a romance.

The portrayals of depression and manic depression, or bipolar disorder, were fairly accurate. Violet’s depression and survivor’s guilt were clearly displayed in her attempt at committing suicide, and the way her parents shifted the house rules after her sister’s death. Furthermore, it seems logical that someone would give up participating in things they once enjoyed due to depression, similar to violet. Finch suffering from manic depression was foreshadowed throughout the novel. It discusses Finch having to learn to control his anger so that he can stay in school. However, Finch referenced falling asleep for weeks at a time, which seems unusual for someone with manic depression. Also, Finch felt the need to be enclosed in cramped spaces with little to no free space.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure or romance novels. The story portrays and discusses several powerful messages that can impact people of all ages. However, this novel is not appropriate for children and preteens. At times some of the themes, events, or language can be traumatic or vulgar, such as when Finch and Violet consider suicide.

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Violet Markey is finishing her senior year of high school. After the death of her sister, her life has been turned upside down. She has given up on most of the things she loves as she struggles to deal with life after the accident. Theodore Finch is the “freak” among his senior class. With a personality unlike any other and a unique view of the world, he is bullied by many. However, Finch always finds a way to see the light amongst the dark in his life.

In a turn of events, these two opposites become fast friends. Through multiple adventures, Violet and Finch come to learn they are more similar then they believed.  This unlikely friendship allows Violet to see the world in a new light, while Finch struggles to hang on to what little bit of light is left in his. Soon problems arise and secrets are spilled. It is up to Violet and Finch to discover how to deal with the darkness in their world’s while still having to enjoy all the bright places it can offer.

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By: Jennifer Niven