Summary

In “Laura,” Laura grew up in “one of the wealthiest communities in America” (177). Throughout her childhood and adolescence, Laura “felt exhausted by the effort” to be perfect (177). During her time at Harvard, she began testing “out new identities” (178). She became increasingly nihilistic and disillusioned.

Because Laura was overcome by “pure and unadulterated loneliness,” her family brought her to McLean Hospital (180). Her psychiatrist attributed her state of mind to her repressive upbringing. After receiving a Prozac prescription, she tried returning to her life. Meanwhile, she began reading the DSM, discovering more about mental illness. In an attempt to fix her, her parents sent her on an Outward Bound trip. Her journals from the time reveal her continued depression.

After graduation, Laura struggled to find balance. She drank heavily, moved from job to job, relationship to relationship, and became depressed whenever she felt...