• Clip
• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 27 >> Says that praying is like talking to someone who already knows you well, and that no formal prayer is needed.

Her main helpful approaches include hospitalisation, various therapies (including art therapy), Citalopram (40mg/day), reduction in work hours, Christian prayer and diary writing.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 03 >> As a Christian, he feels that all events have reasons, including depression, even if the reasons are not clear. (Played by an actor)

He had sympathetic doctors who took the time to listen. With medication, early retirement, his religious convictions, and the gradual resolution of life stressors, his depression lifted.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 09 >> Had a crisis of faith in Christianity where he did not feel a relationship with Jesus, and had trouble with the idea of sin. (Played by an actor)

Since 1995 has undergone a recovery which has involved therapy (systemic consultation) as well as learning social skills, engaging in enjoyable activities, and involvement in self-help groups.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 30 >> Along with getting the right balance of medication, says she found talking to God gave her strength.

Has supportive health professionals. She reacted badly to lithium, and is now doing much better on her current medication (currently Quetiapine 200mg/day, Amitriptyline 50mg, Carbamazepine 200mg, Atenolol 25 mg, Raberazole 20mg).

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 24 >> Feels that God has sustained her through depression and not let her suffer too much, despite periods of severe depression.

Helpful approaches have included medication, self-help books and tapes, and personal development courses. Received long term therapy on the NHS. Recently discovered she had dyslexia, explaining many of her difficulties.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 03 >> Explains that prayer and God helped him in ways that are unclear, yet he feels it at least helped his marriage.

He had sympathetic doctors who took the time to listen. With medication, early retirement, his religious convictions, and the gradual resolution of life stressors, his depression lifted.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 19 >> Explains how even though she did not know why she suffered at the time, she now feels God wanted her to experience depression so she could empathise

Has managed to find joy in life through approaches including medication (currently venlafaxine 150mg & chlorpromazine 25mg), counselling, partner support, Christianity and voluntary work (which led to rewarding employment).

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> The death of a caring friend and the survival of her abusive father undermined her belief in God, but not in the idea that she has earned good karma.

With the help of a caring GP, her counsellor, private hospital treatment, Efexor (150mg/day) and self-help books, she was feeling better and is keen to continue her healing and help others. She has written a book: Saving Samantha: A Young Woman's Escape from Childhood Hell (isbn 1401910300) about her experiences.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 13 >> He was taught as a child that pleasure was wrong, but later found out that life is about pleasure and happiness.

Has only recent seen himself as getting better, being helped by therapy (eg. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt), a clairvoyant therapist/doctor, the learning of meditation techniques, and medication (Effexor 75mg, Lithium (400mg/day).

• Topic
• Mental health >> Depression >> Spirituality, religion and God >> Spirituality, religion and God

Spirituality, religion and God