"Killing My Body to Save My Mind" by Lauren Slater

          “Killing My Body to Save My Mind” by Lauren Slater is about a choice the author must make between her mind and her body.  Slater is on many medications for her depression, but her essay revolves around one drug in particular, Zyprexa. After taking the psychotropic for only three days her depression seemed to vanish. The only downside to this medication was the side effect of excessive weight gain. When Slater’s depression went away her appetite returned; before she knew it she had gained fifty-plus pounds. Her psychopharmacologist warned her about the side effect, but having a psychology degree herself, she ignored the hazard due to her desperation for happiness. Once she realized what Zyprexa was doing to her body she had to choose, happiness or health.

            Slater is placed in the situation where she has to choose the happiness in her mind or the healthiness of her body. Her purpose in this essay was to allow readers to see her struggle in making her decision.  At one point during the piece, Slater stated: “I wasn’t giving much thought to my increase in appetite or weight, [I] focused solely on how happy I was to have my life back”. After being depressed for an extensive amount of time, she did not seem to have a care in the world other than the fact she was finally happy again.           

            Depression and weight gain are two very common struggles for people today - especially women. By writing this essay, Slater was able to appeal to an audience who may be dealing with a similar situation to hers. Her conflict is what draws individuals to this piece.  

            Pathos is used throughout in order to keep readers interested and to connect them to the essay. I believe that Lauren Slater did a wonderful job accomplishing her purpose, which was to show readers her struggle in making the decision. In the end, she chose her mind over her body. I could tell that by choosing her mind she will live a fuller and happier life overall.  

In “Killing My Body to Save My Mind” by Lauren Slater, she must choose between her happiness and her health.