Chapter 8, Within the Hurricane - Depression Summary and Analysis

In this chapter, Dr. Pipher discusses depression. The first case is Monica, a chubby, highly intelligent fifteen-year-old. Monica's parents are concerned about her depression and lack of friends. Monica's main social outlet is her computer modem. She communicates with teenagers around the country. Those kids do not know that she is chubby. She can impress them with her wit and intelligence without ever having to meet them face-to-face. Monica is mature for her age, and she understands that her peers have shallow, superficial ideas about appearance and popularity. This knowledge does not make her feel any better, though.

At Dr. Pipher's urging, Monica begins to try harder to make friends at school. She becomes involved in new activities and finds a niche that she can fit into without denying her ideas...