Toynbee's depression was sometimes immobilising and prevented him from enjoying his day-to-day life and work, and the regularity of his book reviews was sometimes interrupted as he struggled with the depression and the treatment he insisted on receiving for it – against the advice of his GP and consultant – namely, ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy).
Toynbees depression gjorde honom ibland orörlig och hindrade honom från att njuta av sitt dag till dag liv och arbete, och regelbundenhet i hans bokrecensioner fick ibland avbrytas när han kämpade med depression och behandling han insisterade på att få mot den - mot inrådan av sin läkare - nämligen ECT (elektrokonvulsiv behandling).