Sorrow and Bliss

Sorrow and Bliss centers on Martha’s mental health and experiences with mental illness. The author’s note at the end of the book clarifies that the portrayal of Martha’s illness is not consistent with any genuine mental illness; the treatment protocols and doctors’ advice featured in the story are fictionalized. Nevertheless, Mason draws on reality to flesh out these aspects of the story.

Martha begins experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition when she is 17, having her first episode the day before her French A Levels. While this is consistent with the age of onset of a majority of psychiatric illnesses, the onset is usually slower and more gradual than happens with Martha, who experiences a sudden break out of the blue. Martha receives multiple misdiagnoses throughout her life, until she finally receives a seemingly accurate, unnamed diagnosis when she is almost 40. This is a common occurrence for many people with mental illnesses due to a number of factors: an inability to secure a doctor’s appointment in time; an inaccurate medical history; multiple disorders having overlapping symptoms; and so on. In Martha’s case, her multiple misdiagnoses appear to be tied to overlapping symptoms. She, and multiple doctors over the course of her treatment, believe she has depression, and so she is often prescribed antidepressants.

When Martha finally receives her unnamed diagnosis, she is initially upset, as she is aware of the stigma surrounding the illness. Stigmatization of mental illnesses is a persistent societal issue that can make it harder for some individuals to find adequate support and treatment. However, Martha also believes there are some benefits to a “label”—in her context, an accurate diagnosis—as it helps her understand her situation better and sets her on the right course of treatment. The novel also alludes to the genetic component of certain psychiatric illnesses: The fact that Martha’s maternal grandmother and mother both experienced the same illness increases Martha’s chances of developing the same.

Finally, Martha’s journey with mental illness is greatly impacted by an important factor—social support. Although it takes Martha a while to realize, she has plenty of social support all throughout her life, from her parents, aunt, sister, Patrick, and even Peregrine. This support greatly contributes to the better place Martha is in by the end of the book, emphasizing the value of a strong support system for people with mental health conditions.