SA,
I read that Dobson book too. Very good. There is a section about
the angry woman in the end of it. When I read it I was crushed.
Think it mentions MLC. After reading that section alone, I knew my
journey was going to be rough. When you read something in a book like that and see your sitch to a "T", it grabs you tight and rips you apart. On the other hand, a calmness ensues knowing that there is a clearly defined diagnosis of what is happening.
I am glad you mentioned the mask thing. It gets really strange when
they hold the mask and put it on take it off at will. My wife could be a famous actor if she wanted to. Problem is, the depression is the motor. If the motor was gone, I don't think she could pull it off. (The famous actor part). I have seen info
on tv and books that say that some of the best comedians had a horrible childhood. That ended up being the motor for their success. Rodney Dangerfield was one of them off the top of my head. He was real successful but his life even through his success was horrible. He ended up drinking, gambling etc.