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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Had a long wait to see a psychiatrist while suicidal, and so the psychiatrist's concern about his immediate wellbeing seemed too little, too late.

Has very good care from his GP. Medication was somewhat effective. He recently stopped taking Lithium and Effexor.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Tried stopping venlafaxine (Efexor) and suffered unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and so slowly reduced the drug over 8 weeks, and gained support to wi

Has very good care from his GP. Medication was somewhat effective. He recently stopped taking Lithium and Effexor.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 21 >> Was well informed about lithium side effects, and was willing to take lithium to avoid depression again even though she is against long-term medicatio

Effective treatments include lithium (400mg/day), day care centre activities (e.g. creative activities), distracting herself from depression, counselling, diet changes and Internet research.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Found a suicide discussion group, which exposed him to extremely depressed and suicidal people at a time he was also suicidal, but he gained comfort f

Has very good care from his GP. Medication was somewhat effective. He recently stopped taking Lithium and Effexor.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 21 >> Says that discussion forums on the Internet can be very informative as well as supportive for people with depression.

Effective treatments include lithium (400mg/day), day care centre activities (e.g. creative activities), distracting herself from depression, counselling, diet changes and Internet research.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 31 >> Says that the Internet allows you to 'demystify' health professional authority because you can research a treatment and identify other opinions.

Avoided medication but found help at a mental health 'drop in' centre. He became better informed and used creativity (e.g. computer art and music) to help his recovery.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Says that it is important to educate yourself through the Internet and books about treatments because professionals have a different agenda from patie

With the ongoing care of her GP and ongoing counselling with a skilled practitioner, she has been in recovery since early 2003. Not currently on medication.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 29 and under >> Interview 18 >> Having taken the antidepressant 'Seroxat' she says could make better sense of her experience of attempting suicide after visiting the BBC Panorama web

Became depressed while looking after a friend with depression. Believes Seroxat contributed to her suicide attempt. With counselling and new medication (venlafaxine 150mg/day) she is getting better.