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• 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 25 >> Has met a woman friend with depression whom she can trust and talk to about personal issues.

In recent times, has fared better with a new supportive husband, a caring GP and Prozac (20mg/day). She continues to struggle against feeling to blame for things outside of her control.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 06 >> Wanted her GP (who was also a friend) to notice her problem, but was worried that if she told him how she was feeling he might judge her badly.

Has responded very well to Prozac (currently 20 mg) and cognitive behavioural therapy, and feels she should be on an antidepressant permanently to correct a chemical imbalance.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Says that depression is less stigmatised nowadays and believes that disclosing your depression to a trusted friend is helpful. (Played by an actor)

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 >> When she comes out of depression, she socialises again and is able to pick up her interests, including horses.

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 40-54 >> Interview 07 >> Feels under pressure to get better because he feels a burden on his partner and friends, yet feels his partner was very supportive.

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 40-54 >> Interview 30 >> She had felt 'stupid' and 'weak' and that her life was over, but her recent recovery has begun to challenge such negative ideas. (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 40-54 >> Interview 22 >> Has met someone else with depression who has gone further towards recovery and the experience has been inspirational.

Is now managed by a skilled team in the NHS, which includes long-term therapy. Therapy is addressing her distorted thinking patterns and difficult past. She now understands she can move beyond depression.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 27 >> A friend of a friend turned out to be very supportive during her depression and recovery.

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 29 and under >> Interview 02 >> The curative effect of Efexor (venlafaxine) was her proof she had a brain chemical imbalance, although she believed she needed therapy to deal with le

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 65+ >> Interview 14 >> Says that having a hobby can distract from negative thoughts as well as provide meaningful rewards, friendships and male bonding.

Has responded well to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He has the support of his wife and has built his confidence in a local sporting club. He recognises depression as a phase that passes.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 09 >> Was initially afraid to do many social things, but realised that he needed to take up life's opportunities, and learn to socialise more. (Played by an

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 19 >> While severely depressed, her doctor told her to get out of the house and exercise, and so she managed to get to her local church on the bus.

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 55-64 >> Interview 31 >> It is sometimes hard to know who your real friends are, but they are probably those who show concern about you when you are depressed or manic.

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 40-54 >> Interview 22 >> Her friend has educated herself about depression and is accepting, and so she can talk to her about her depression and feelings of suicide.

Is now managed by a skilled team in the NHS, which includes long-term therapy. Therapy is addressing her distorted thinking patterns and difficult past. She now understands she can move beyond depression.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> He cut off his friends when he was depressed because he did not want them to see him depressed, and he felt he couldn't cope with talking to anyone.

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

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 39 >> Although talking and listening was too tiring when depressed, having her friend there and doing things together made her feel safer and more motivated

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 55-64 >> Interview 21 >> Feels that friends need to treat depressed friends as having a serious illness, find out what they want to do, and help them to do that.

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 40-54 >> Interview 06 >> She told her friend about a suicide attempt, and her friend took her straight to her GP for help.

Has responded very well to Prozac (currently 20 mg) and cognitive behavioural therapy, and feels she should be on an antidepressant permanently to correct a chemical imbalance.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 11 >> Her supportive friends could deal with her changing needs, as well as give practical help such as baby-sitting.

Hospitalised, but experienced poor service in the NHS. Helpful approaches included the contraceptive pill (acts as a mood stabiliser for her), good GP support, private hospitalisation, and HomeStart help in the home.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 11 >> She thought negatively when depressed, and her mind jumped to negative conclusions, and she felt like others were talking about her.

Hospitalised, but experienced poor service in the NHS. Helpful approaches included the contraceptive pill (acts as a mood stabiliser for her), good GP support, private hospitalisation, and HomeStart help in the home.