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• Mental health >> Depression >> Distraction, activities and creativity >> Distraction, activities and creativity

Distraction, activities and creativity

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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 13 >> Sings a song where he wrote the last verse.

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 65+ >> Interview 13 >> Describes getting helpful treatment and partaking in beneficial activities in an NHS hospital.

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 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Recites a poem she wrote while depressed in hospital.

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 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Feels people need to find ways to express their feelings (e.g. poetry, music, dancing) so that the feelings don't get 'stuck' inside you. (Played by

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 27 >> Wrote a poem called 'Time' in hospital to express her experiences of working and living in a hectic world, which others have related to.

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 21 >> An NHS Day Centre near her home offering creative activities was a welcome distraction from her 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 38 >> Has chosen work that is creative and allows him to express himself, connect with others, and help his subjects to be self-expressive.

Effective approaches have included counselling from his GP, partner support, doing a 'Landmark' course, swimming, and finding an authentic and creative expression for himself through his work.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> While he can be very creative and productive while manic, he consciously decides to stick to important routines like sleep to prevent subsequent depre

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 27 >> Says depression helps you to put your life in perspective. She still finds it hard to relax, but has started to enjoy observing nature.

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 21 >> Worked out what she wanted in her life, and then repeated it over and over in her mind as a mantra: 'I'm calm, cheerful and creative,' even when depre

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 55-64 >> Interview 31 >> Depression can open up opportunities, and you can do much to change your life, including creative and social activities.

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.