• Topic
• Mental health >> Depression >> Gaining insights >> Gaining insights

Gaining insights

• Clip
• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 24 >> Did a course on counselling, and although sometimes painful, it helped self-development and in meeting people.

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 40-54 >> Interview 19 >> Therapy helped her to better understand that her family had failed her, rather than being a failure herself.

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 04 >> For him overcoming depression involved the realisation he was not as different as he thought, and he could develop relationships. (Played by an actor)

Has responded very well to Prozac (20mg/day) and cognitive behavioural therapy.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 09 >> Realised that he would need to have his own values, since the world was fallible. (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 55-64 >> Interview 28 >> Understands depression as a 'breakthrough' because it helped her to become less rigid in her thinking.

Multiple severe bouts of depression/ 'euphoria', most recently in 95. Has been hospitalised and had Electroconvulsive Therapy. Most helpful approaches include the drug venlafaxine (75mg/day), music, poetry and spiritual healing.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 22 >> Therapy can lead to stepping out of the 'prison of depression' into the unknown, which can be frightening but rewarding.

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 37 >> As when an over-loaded fuse blows, she feels that depression has come for a reason, making her stop and take notice.

Is currently feeling well after a recent rough patch. Helpful approaches have included talking therapies, Prozac (20mg/day), living in a sunnier climate, and exercise.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 28 >> Thinking about depression as a way of changing her life, rather than as the enemy, helped her deal with it better.

Multiple severe bouts of depression/ 'euphoria', most recently in 95. Has been hospitalised and had Electroconvulsive Therapy. Most helpful approaches include the drug venlafaxine (75mg/day), music, poetry and spiritual healing.