Clancy Martin’s Writerly Repetitions

In Clancy Martin’s new book, “How Not to Kill Yourself: A Portrait of the Suicidal Mind,” the novelist and philosopher recounts a time when he was committed to a psychiatric hospital in Kansas City. He is arguing with a psychiatrist, Dr. Ellis, who has put him on seven medications. Martin doesn’t think he should be on lithium. Dr. Ellis is not convinced.

“Let’s talk about why you’re here,” the doctor says, reminding his patient that he had tried to kill himself. “How do you feel about waking up and learning that you could be dead?”