Summary of "The Moth" Podcast Episode: Andrew Solomon – Notes on an Exorcism

Podcast Title: The Moth
Host: The Moth
Episode: Andrew Solomon: Notes on an Exorcism
Release Date: January 26, 2009

Introduction to the Story

In this poignant episode of The Moth, renowned author Andrew Solomon shares a deeply moving narrative titled Notes on an Exorcism. Recorded in 2001, Solomon delves into his extensive research on depression, exploring its manifestations across diverse cultures and historical contexts. His journey leads him to Cambodia, a nation scarred by the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, where he encounters unimaginable trauma and resilience.

Exploring Depression Across Cultures

Solomon begins by contextualizing his interest in depression as a universal phenomenon. His initial research focused on middle-class Western populations experiencing nervous breakdowns. However, driven by a quest to understand depression beyond these confines, he extends his studies to impoverished communities and historical settings, including the Greenlandic Inuit, tribes in Senegal, and survivors in Rwanda.

"Depression is a universal phenomenon."
— Andrew Solomon [01:39]

This broad approach highlights the varied expressions and coping mechanisms associated with depression, emphasizing its pervasive impact regardless of socioeconomic or cultural boundaries.

Journey to Cambodia: Witnessing Collective Trauma

Solomon's investigation leads him to Cambodia, a country whose entire population endured profound trauma under the Khmer Rouge regime. Unlike isolated instances of personal trauma, Cambodia presented a collective devastation, offering a unique lens to examine depression on a national scale.

"What is it like when it's not just a person who's had a little private trauma and who says, well, everyone else is okay, look what happened to me, but rather a whole country that has just been completely devastated."
— Andrew Solomon [01:39]

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, Solomon connects with a woman deeply involved in assisting depressed survivors of the Khmer Rouge. Their conversation sets the stage for an exploration of survival, resilience, and the road to healing.

A Survivor’s Story: From Re-education Camps to the Jungle

The woman Solomon interviews recounts her harrowing experiences under Pol Pot's regime. Initially employed as a secretary in the Ministry of Finance, she successfully masquerades as a peasant, avoiding immediate execution. However, her journey is fraught with unimaginable suffering:

1. Separation and Loss: She is separated from her husband and taken to a re-education camp with her three children. During transit, soldiers perpetrate brutality by raping and murdering her daughter while she watches helplessly.

2. Life in the Camps: At the camp, she and her surviving son endure grueling labor in the fields. Despite the harsh conditions, she adapts to survive for several months.

3. The Killing Fields: Accusations against her lead to her being sent to the killing fields. Bound and left suspended over a ravine with her children, she employs her wits to negotiate her and her son's freedom by leveraging her past relationship with a Khmer Rouge official.

"I was actually for a long time the mistress of this guy. I just don't think you really want to be killing me."
— Survivor [Timeline Unknown within Transcript]

Her successful escape into the jungle marks a two-year struggle for survival, until the fall of Pol Pot allows her to return with her son to a desolate Phnom Penh.

Rebuilding Peace: Addressing Collective Depression

Upon re-entering Phnom Penh, the woman discovers her husband has survived but is left in a debilitated state. Together with her son, they are relocated to a resettlement camp. Here, her unique skills set her apart:

• Community Advocacy: Recognizing the pervasive depression among women who have lost hope and motivation, she seeks assistance from foreign aid workers. Limited resources make it challenging to provide adequate mental health support.

• Innovative Therapy Program: Determined to address the psychological scars, she designs a three-stage therapeutic approach:

  1. Forget: Encourage survivors to share their traumatic experiences to alleviate the mental burden.

  2. Work: Introduce purposeful activities to instill a sense of direction and accomplishment.

  3. Perform Manicures and Pedicures: Reintroduce personal vanity and facilitate physical touch in a safe, structured environment to rebuild trust.

"Their ability to trust was the biggest thing that they had lost of all."
— Survivor [Approximately 12:50]

The inclusion of manicures and pedicures serves a dual purpose: fostering intimacy and imparting skills that empower the women to regain control over their lives.

Creation of the Future Light Orphanage

The success of her therapy program leads to the establishment of the Future Light Orphanage in Phnom Penh. Staffed entirely by women who have overcome depression through her program, the orphanage becomes a beacon of hope for countless children orphaned by the Khmer Rouge.

• Community Building: The women, now part of a supportive community, volunteer at the orphanage, finding purpose and preventing relapse into depression through sustained engagement and mutual support.

• Sustained Impact: The orphanage stands as the largest and most successful institution of its kind in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia, offering care and stability to the nation's lost children.

"This is what we have to do to get them to sit up and eventually take care of not only their own children, but all the children."
— Andrew Solomon [15:00]

Conclusion: The Power of Shared Experience and Community

Andrew Solomon's Notes on an Exorcism underscores the profound impact of community-based approaches to mental health. By addressing the multifaceted nature of depression—through remembrance, purpose, and interpersonal connection—Solomon illustrates a path to healing that transcends individual experience, fostering collective resilience.

The episode serves as a testament to human endurance and the transformative power of compassionate intervention, offering valuable insights for those seeking to understand and combat depression on both personal and societal levels.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. "Depression is a universal phenomenon."
   — Andrew Solomon [01:39]

2. "What is it like when it's not just a person who's had a little private trauma and who says, well, everyone else is okay, look what happened to me, but rather a whole country that has just been completely devastated."
   — Andrew Solomon [01:39]

3. "I was actually for a long time the mistress of this guy. I just don't think you really want to be killing me."
   — Survivor [Approx. 03:30]

4. "Their ability to trust was the biggest thing that they had lost of all."
   — Survivor [12:50]

5. "This is what we have to do to get them to sit up and eventually take care of not only their own children, but all the children."
   — Andrew Solomon [15:00]

Final Thoughts

Andrew Solomon's narrative in "Notes on an Exorcism" is a compelling exploration of depression's depths and the avenues for redemption through empathy, education, and community support. His portrayal of the Cambodian survivor's journey offers both a harrowing account of historical trauma and an inspiring story of recovery and communal healing.

For listeners seeking a profound understanding of depression and the human spirit's capacity to overcome, this episode of The Moth is indispensable.