Double Blind by Brandilyn Collins
***I’m giving away one copy of Double Blind. To be entered into the giveaway, you must read my review and ANSWER THE following QUESTION:
If you were suffering from severe depression, and were offered a unique cure, a computer chip implanted into your brain to cure your depression, would you do it? Keep in mind that the chip implantation would include brain surgery. Also comment about why you would or would not do this.
Lisa Newberry is battling a deep, dark depression. Her husband was recently killed in a car accident, a short time later she was mugged, and before her husband died, she suffered from multiple miscarriages. Lisa feels she has no hope, so, when a company, Cognoscenti, offers help, she decides to be a part of their new trial study. The study requires Lisa to have a chip implanted into her brain. This new brain chip supposedly offers a “cure” for her depression.
Desperate, she agrees to the terms, which require her to have brain surgery. There’s no guarantee that the chip will help her depression – it’s possible that Lisa will be implanted with a placebo. After the surgery, Lisa feels much better, realizing the chip has “cured” her depression. However, while still in the hospital, recuperating from surgery, Lisa begins having strange dreams and visions – she sees images of a woman being murdered. Are these images just nightmares, or, is she really seeing visions of a real person being murdered?
Determined, Lisa storms into the Cognoscenti offices, wanting to know what they’ve done to her, demanding answers.
Lisa continues to be plagued with these visions and, her mother arrives, offering to help Lisa. Lisa’s relationship with her mother is strained, and she’s not sure if she wants her mother to help her right now. Her best friend, Sherri, also offers assistance to Lisa.
I could easily tell that this was a Brandilyn Collins book. The woman seeing the visions of the murder kind of reminded me of Collins’ book, Eyes Of Elisha. This book kept you guessing until the very end, and it was deeply suspenseful and chilling. It was a quick, page-turning, enjoyable read. There were so many unexpected things happening in this book – you’ll be surprised when you read it.
Amidst all this turmoil, Lisa realizes she needs to stop and think and evaluate her relationship with God, where does she stand with Him?
So, if you were suffering from severe depression, and were offered a unique cure, a computer chip implanted into your brain to cure your depression, would you do it? Leave a comment with your response in order to be entered into the drawing! Don’t forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win!
My first reaction is NO. Are you crazy? Then my second reaction is: if the depression was that bad I might be desperate enough to try anything or so depressed that I didn’t really care if it worked – so, maybe. Then my final reaction is no, because I doubt I would ever trust a company to not have ulterior motives and a hidden agenda. I would feel like I was letting take over my mind. That’s so creepy. Sounds like a great story!
I was diagnosed with depression at age 33 but I suspect I had it even before then. It just go so bad I had to do something or I couldn’t function. The medication I’ve been taking for the past 11 years makes it so I forget that I have the diagnosis, but if I miss a dose I feel it. All that to say, depression is horrible, but it runs in my family so I knew it was just a matter of time. At the same time I had an MRI once and it was a horrible experience I swore I’d never do again (I am allergic to the die and found out after the MRI) so if I won’t do contrast dye, there is no way anyone would be opening my head for any reason. I’d rather go meet Jesus face to face, thank you very much. Oh, and my children are grown. They’d miss me, but they’ll survive. So will my husband.
No, I wouldn’t have the chip put in. I think even as depressed as i might be, the thought of brain surgery would scare me even more. This book does sound like quite the page turner. Thank you for the giveaway.
Blessings,
Jo
No, I avoid doctors and hospitals as much as possible. I think I’m just too chicken to do something so drastic. I love Brandilyn’s books and this sounds so interesting.
We must put our trust in the Lord and pray that He will make way our path
No, I would try something else.
My husband had a brain tumor and had to have surgery. It was a long road to healing.
I would try everything possible but surgery. I’d even put on running shoes and run to get those endorphins pumping or whatever. ha!
Thanks so much for sharing about Brandilyn’s new book!
Jackie L.
joyfuljel@gmaildotcom
No. I would prefer depression be worked through by Christian counseling and prayer. Too many complications from surgery. I personally wouldn’t trust the component and what it could/would do that you wouldn’t have control over. The mind is too precious to mess with.
I am not sure that I would. My husband works with automation (IT/computer) security. I know far too much about what people can do with small chips to be comfortable having a computer chip implanted in my brain.
I have had bouts with depression and have found that taking care of myself with healthy eating, exercise, and regular thyroid checks to quickly catch if my hormones are off has so far kept the blues away. So, NO!!! I would NOT go through brain surgery!!! I don’t think I could relax with something in my head!
I don’t think I would do this, but I guess it is something that would need to be approached with much prayer if I were in that situation.
julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com
My reaction is absolutely Not.
Please enter me to win this book.
I have depression, controlled with medication. I remember the years before medication, when I felt I lived in a dark deep hole and was unable to get out. I have a strong Christian faith, but even that did not pull me out of the chemical imbalance that is genetically driven. Would I have a chip implanted? My rational brain says no, but in reality, depression is so bad I would have grasped at anything to get out of it.
I tried to post by clicking Post Comment but it wouldn’t take me there.
Anyway, to your question.Yes, I would. As I’ve read depression is a deep, dark place to be. And brain surgeons do amazing work these days. Thanks for drawing.
I have struggled with some really dark depression, though I know that I have not experienced the depths of what some people have. But given the choice between lifelong medication and the Great Physician, I chose the Great Physician. I’m glad I did, because I have learned so much, and the book “Loving God With All Your Mind” really, really helped me. That said, no, I would not choose to have a chip implanted in my brain to help with depression. But I can understand grasping at anything to help.
This sounds like an incredibly intriguing read. I think a lot of these topics will hot rather close to home (a very close friend of mine…). Thanks for sharing.