• Topic
• Mental health >> Depression >> Stigma and mental health >> Stigma and mental health

Stigma and mental health

• Clip
• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 19 >> Her psychiatrist told her she had a chemical imbalance that caused anxiety and depression, which helped her to accept she had an illness that was not

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 26 >> In the mid-1990s, Prozac (fluoxetine) helped her to get 'out of a rut' and get on with life; it was 'fashionable' and others she knew were taking it.

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 08 >> Describes her mother's shame about her hospitalisation. (Played by an actor)

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 40-54 >> Interview 07 >> An English acquaintance was surprised he was having psychoanalysis, but in Brazil seeing a therapist and talking about feelings is commonplace.

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 33 >> Was surprised that so many celebrities with material wealth had had depression and were prepared to talk about it.

Has not used medication and is not happy with his GP. Nevertheless, he has accessed talking therapies which have helped somewhat. He also moved away from his family.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 09 >> Had a crisis of faith in Christianity where he did not feel a relationship with Jesus, and had trouble with the idea of sin. (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 40-54 >> Interview 22 >> Feels she can't tell her family about seeing a psychiatrist as she fears they would see her as weak. (Played by an actor)

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 06 >> Her mother was ashamed of depression, but this health professional strives to be more accepting of depression.

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 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Even though she has been labelled as 'psychotic', she feels less ashamed after therapy, and believes it has taken great courage to discover herself an

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 15 >> To stop rumours before they started, she told work colleagues she had been in a psychiatric hospital.

With the help of a caring GP, her counsellor, private hospital treatment, Efexor (150mg/day) and self-help books, she was feeling better and is keen to continue her healing and help others. She has written a book: Saving Samantha: A Young Woman's Escape from Childhood Hell (isbn 1401910300) about her experiences.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 31 >> Says that The Sun newspaper got lots of complaints when it described the boxer Frank Bruno as 'bonkers'.

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 07 >> Feels that the stigma of mental illness is less in Brazil than in the UK, and he is encouraged by the way celebrities are increasingly open about depr

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 35 >> Says that people should confront stigma if they can, and that Mental Health Media support people to do this.

Multiple severe bouts requiring hospitalisation at times. Most helpful approaches include medication (currently depacote 1000mg/day, Efexor 75mg/day), fish oils, talking therapies, social support and cranio-sacral massage.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 33 >> Strongly urges people with depression to get help from somewhere because outside help is important, and depression is less stigmatised these days.

Has not used medication and is not happy with his GP. Nevertheless, he has accessed talking therapies which have helped somewhat. He also moved away from his family.

• Condition
• Mental health >> Depression >> Depression

Publication date: October 2004                 Last updated: October 2010

Review date: October 2012

 

Depression is a common condition with a range of different symptoms and types. We interviewed 38 people about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.