Life After Darkness is the remarkable and moving story of a doctor and mother of four who endured seven years of severe depression. Self-harm, attempted suicides and admissions to psychiatric units culminated in her resorting to brain surgery as a final attempt to escape her illness. The story of Cathy Wield covers the horrors of time spent in archaic institutions and the loss of any hope, to a full recovery following surgery. Today she has returned to her career and rediscovered the joys of life and her family. This story is one of hope from an often hidden and stigmatised disease. 'Important. Compelling and thought provoking. There are so many important messages in Cathy's story, I believe it should become required reading for every medical student, every doctor, every nurse, every health service manager and every politician. This story should engage and concern healthcare staff, health service managers and politicians. It will surely also engage and outrage every reader. Listen to Cathy and keep an open mind.' Keith Matthews, in his Foreword 'Outstanding. Cathy's story very ably and touchingly describes many of the features of a chronic depression that are so damaging, not only to the sufferer, but also to their family and social networks. I think anyone who reads this would want to congratulate Cathy on her courage in adversity, her recovery, and her service to mental health through being brave enough to revisit those terrible years and to set it down on paper for the benefit of everyone suffering from or caring for someone suffering from this grossly misunderstood illness.'Chris Thompson, in his Foreword