home
a-z of conditions
forums
news
about us
See all conditions
Mental health
Depression
Forum
Resources & Information
Subject index
Credits
Full list of topics
Stories of discovery :
Childhood & life before depression
Experiencing depression
Recognition and diagnosis
Negotiating the health system :
General Practice
Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals
Newer anti-depressant medication
Other medical treatments
Attitudes to medication
Talking therapies - considering talking therapies
Talking therapies - finding a therapist
Talking therapies - experiences of talking therapy
Hospital based treatment
Complementary and holistic approaches
Self care :
Managing the mind
Distraction, activities and creativity
Limiting and controlling episodes
Life and money
Self-help resources
Spirituality, religion and God
Support and challenges :
Support groups
Friends and family
Work and education
Stigma and mental health
Being different, ethnicity and sexuality
Living with depression and recovery :
Getting better
Gaining insights
Hope, advice and wisdom
Search the whole site
Search in this condition
Depression
Subject index
Clip
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 30-39
>>
Interview 17
>>
Was worried and sickly as a child, and then when he went into secondary school he was bullied and called names, which really hurt him.
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 30-39
>>
Interview 26
>>
She links her current day anxiety to the unpredictability of her parents arguments and father's violent temper, and her resulting 'fear of what might
Not currently on medication, has found the best approaches to include counselling, self-help books, alternative therapies, and adopting a more authentic lifestyle (including enjoyable voluntary jobs).
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 29 and under
>>
Interview 02
>>
Was surprised by the way a hypnotherapist helped her to think more positively.
Effective approaches include medication (currently Efexor 75 mg/day), hypnotherapy and counselling. Was finding it difficult to find therapy in the NHS.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 40-54
>>
Interview 23
>>
His grandmother died and he became anxious his mother would also die. When his father later died, he tried to become the man of the house at the age o
While avoiding medication, helpful approaches have included counselling, self-help books and alternative therapies (e.g. re-birthing). These approaches have helped reduce negative thinking and anxiety.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 40-54
>>
Interview 19
>>
Became aware that she was having a 'breakdown' on the bus on the way home from work, so called her husband to come and pick her up.
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 30-39
>>
Interview 17
>>
Finds it difficult to describe how he felt before his depression was diagnosed.
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 29 and under
>>
Interview 18
>>
Describes how she feels uncomfortable with the caring attention from her GP and so forgets things. (Played by an actor)
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.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 40-54
>>
Interview 19
>>
She had not known that her doctor had treated her for depression in the past, nor that anxiety was closely linked with depression.
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 40-54
>>
Interview 19
>>
Feels that the occupational therapists set her challenges that were too hard, and so this contributed to her feeling a sense of failure.
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 30-39
>>
Interview 17
>>
He felt he got better care at a London-based outpatients clinic compared with local services.
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 40-54
>>
Interview 23
>>
Doing multiple rebirths has gradually helped him to relax and become less anxious.
While avoiding medication, helpful approaches have included counselling, self-help books and alternative therapies (e.g. re-birthing). These approaches have helped reduce negative thinking and anxiety.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 30-39
>>
Interview 26
>>
Says that doing voluntary work can be enjoyable and less pressured than paid work, helping you to build confidence and look after yourself better.
Not currently on medication, has found the best approaches to include counselling, self-help books, alternative therapies, and adopting a more authentic lifestyle (including enjoyable voluntary jobs).
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 30-39
>>
Interview 04
>>
Has accepted that he will have depression again, he knows the signs of a looming depression, knows what to do, and knows he will recover. (Played by a
Has responded very well to Prozac (20mg/day) and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 40-54
>>
Interview 23
>>
Had agoraphobia, heard how to desensitise himself, and so gradually walked further and further away from his comfort zones, which helped, but did not
While avoiding medication, helpful approaches have included counselling, self-help books and alternative therapies (e.g. re-birthing). These approaches have helped reduce negative thinking and anxiety.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 40-54
>>
Interview 19
>>
Believes that Jesus was anxious and depressed just before his crucifixion, and so felt it was OK to be depressed also.
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 02
>>
Her mother has faced her anxieties and not let depression stop her from doing things, and so she tries to do likewise.
Effective approaches include medication (currently Efexor 75 mg/day), hypnotherapy and counselling. Was finding it difficult to find therapy in the NHS.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 40-54
>>
Interview 39
>>
Her depression lifted but left her lacking confidence, yet she was fortunate to be able to gradually return to work.
Helpful approaches have included hospitalisation, venlafaxine (75mg X 3/day), Fish Oils, individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and relationship counselling, support from local women, joining Depression Alliance, and a gradual return to work to build confidence.
Mental health
>>
Depression
>>
Age 40-54
>>
Interview 19
>>
She was very bright, but her anxiety about her exams was so extreme that she quit University.
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 30-39
>>
Interview 17
>>
Still struggling with recovery, he finds it difficult to live with his symptoms day-to-day, and is not sure of the purpose of his life.
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.
Mail to a friend