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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 30 >> Finds that when she needs help, she can rely on her mental health team, including her doctor, psychiatrist and CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse).

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 09 >> A social worker visited his home and helped his father to better understand depression, as well as helping him to talk issues through.

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 12 >> A Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) or social worker helped her to do everyday tasks at home when she came home from hospital.

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 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 40-54 >> Interview 22 >> Was surprised when her therapist told her she needed to be more stable on medication and have more social support before she was ready for therapy. (P

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 22 >> Her therapist told her she needed to be more stable on medication and have more social support around her before she was ready for therapy. (Played by

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 16 >> His counsellor supported him without setting the agenda, helping him to make his own decisions.

The most helpful approaches for him have included getting rest, counselling, lifestyle changes (involving moving to a better community and living on less money), spirituality and partner support.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 21 >> Says that discussion forums on the Internet can be very informative as well as supportive for people with depression.

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 16 >> As a Catholic gay male, his Christianity has been a great source of comfort, and he has never been condemned because of his sexuality by any church.

The most helpful approaches for him have included getting rest, counselling, lifestyle changes (involving moving to a better community and living on less money), spirituality and partner support.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> Gets angry with people who complain about relatively minor problems with their families because of the physical abuse she suffered.

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 40-54 >> Interview 20 >> Says that parents can be part of the problem in depression, and just as they can be abusive, they can be too supportive in insulating you from the rea

Her recovery initially came about after hospitalisation including Electroconvulsive Therapy. With supportive long-term therapy and medication (Prozac and lithium) she has been in recovery ever since 1989.

• 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 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Had a difficult childhood and family life, and lost her grandparents in 1996, which was very traumatic because she depended so much on her grandmother

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 65+ >> Interview 01 >> Compares cancer with depression and says there is more professional support for cancer, and because depression affects the mind, it is difficult to fi

Treatments have included ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), hospitalisation, talking therapies, lithium and medication. He was on a preventative, low dose of Zoloft (sertraline 100mg/day) due to his wife's death.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 12 >> Describes the comfort felt when she realised in hospital that others felt similar to her.

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 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).

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 07 >> When he told his neighbour about his depression, his neighbour hugged him and offered comforting words and gestures.

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 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 30-39 >> Interview 35 >> Her friends are supportive and watch out for mania, including over spending, and so will ask questions.

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 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 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 40-54 >> Interview 39 >> Her husband missed out on the support she got. Having a break and getting counselling through Relate helped.

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 27 >> She was not getting the help she needed to do her work, her director had been bullying her, but the company supported her.

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 55-64 >> Interview 12 >> Her boss was very supportive, and organised her work so that she could cope with her tasks.

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 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 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 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 65+ >> Interview 03 >> Says people with depression should hang on during the worst of depression because things are likely to get better with time.

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 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 55-64 >> Interview 24 >> Found that attending a support group and gaining its support over a period of 2 years was what she needed to benefit from her group.

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.

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

Support groups

• 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 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 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).