Depression: Bereavement vs. Veterans

My public issue, homeless veterans, often deals with depression and how it affects those who are suffering. I chose to read Gary Gutting’s Depression and the Limits of Psychiatry, and compare its style and content to Stopping the Surge of Military Suicides: How to Win This Preventable War by Susan Blumenthal.

In Gutting’s article, I did not get a very good sense of his personal voice. The tone is very formal and informational, and some of the terminology and wording went over my head. I can tell that the writer is a very knowledgable and credible source in this topic. He cites many different sources and knows them well enough to fit them to his argument. Ultimately, Gutting makes his opinion known when he proposes his solution to the bereavement exemption: “…the DSM should give equal weight to the judgments of those who understand the medical view but who also have a broader perspective.” This post is on the New York Times website, meaning that it will have a wide online audience. However, it will probably appeal more to those who are interested in psychiatry, given the title. This post is within the website’s “The Stone” forum, which is a place for philosophers to share their opinions on issues. For that reason, I do not think that Gutting is particularly worried about appealing to a more general audience. This post is not presented in a visually appealing manner, with no headings or photos other than a photo of the author at the end. The reader will only continue to read if they are interested in the material and compelled to learn more about it. To my last point, the beginning of the article may draw readers in and keep them interested, mentioning the controversy about the recent changes to the official definition of depression. He uses Foucault as his way in to this issue. The article ends having explained the controversy and offering the author’s solution, and Foucault is quoted again to tie the piece together.

The second post I read was on the Huffington Post blog and written by Susan Blumenthal. The style was formal and knowledgable, like Gutting’s, and it is clear that Blumenthal knows her sources well. This article had many embedded links for readers to follow up on her points. To me, her style seemed more personal and opinionated at times, such as with the line “Clearly, it is an unacceptable disservice to those who have courageously served this country for them to suffer alone.” This post seems like it would draw in a wide audience with its intriguing title. Similarly, the design of the article is very appealing and draws the reader’s eye to many different headings and photos. It kept my attention easily throughout, and the infographic also helped solidify the author’s points for me. The post begins and ends similarly to the Gutting article, quoting someone who has had a huge influence on the subject at hand. Foucault worked well with the topic of psychiatry, while the quotes in this article work well with the topic of the United States and its veterans. In this case, the article begins with President George Washington and ends with President John F. Kennedy.

Both articles approach the topic of depression in an informed and formal manner, and both are filled with many facts and sources. Blumenthal’s article is more visually appealing and includes a bit more of a personal touch, while Gutting’s will certainly have appeal with academics and philosophers. Both articles begin and end with quotes that tie the pieces together.

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