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• Mental health >> Depression >> Support groups >> Support groups

Support groups

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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 03 >> Explains that some members of support groups report 'pockets' where doctors are not very sympathetic to depression. (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 17 >> While feeling very isolated, he has found a friend through a chronic fatigue (ME) support group.

Current medication includes Seroxat, Zyperxa (olanzapine), Lamactil (lamatrigine). Is grappling with building friendships and what he wants to do in life. He has found one kinesiologist in particular to be very helpful.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 12 >> Becoming secretary for a new local support group helped her to feel useful, link with professionals and help others.

Helpful approaches include support from patients in hospital, counselling and medication (Lofepramine). She understands depression as a passing phase and feels she is well past the worst of it.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 07 >> Was comforting to be with people who knew what he was talking about, he bonded with the group, felt they were his equals and felt less alone and wrong

Used a raft of strategies to recover including time off work, attending a support group, counselling, physical exercise, interaction with nature and pets, and spiritual healing.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 09 >> Was pleased to discover that members of his support group were sensitive, intelligent and sympathetic to his rejection of the values of consumerist so

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 >> Says that people can sometimes take discussions of personal experiences out of context in support groups. (Played by an actor)

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 30-39 >> Interview 36 >> People can go to support groups even if they are not feeling great since others understand, but it can be hard to combine people who are in a manic ph

Useful approaches include medication, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, therapy, hospitalisation, self-help groups. Currently takes Lithium (600mg/day) and citalopram (Cipramil) 20mg/day.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 13 >> This facilitator of a support group wants to encourage his group to master healing techniques as well as share stories.

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).