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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 26 >> She links her current day anxiety to the unpredictability of her parents arguments and father's violent temper, and her resulting 'fear of what might

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 55-64 >> Interview 12 >> Describes a negative and frightening experience of an NHS hospital in the 1970s.

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 23 >> His grandmother died and he became anxious his mother would also die. When his father later died, he tried to become the man of the house at the age o

While avoiding medication, helpful approaches have included counselling, self-help books and alternative therapies (e.g. re-birthing). These approaches have helped reduce negative thinking and anxiety.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 19 >> She felt so bad and so cut off from everyone in her family that she felt she was inside a very thick balloon, and contemplated suicide.

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 >> Has accepted that he will have depression again, he knows the signs of a looming depression, knows what to do, and knows he will recover. (Played by a

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

• 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 65+ >> Interview 01 >> He 'swallowed his tongue' during ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) and had to try to alert the anaesthetists, and lost memory of a holiday and work prac

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 30-39 >> Interview 11 >> Did not like ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), felt frightened and confused, and when she tried to exchange contact details with another patient who ha

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 32 >> Felt she was ignorant about depression and medication and was scared about taking medication, which she only took for a short while even though it see

Feels her GP is excellent, but decided against medication. She has gained confidence over the years, and has benefited from NHS counselling, but is having trouble accessing further counselling.

• 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 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 38 >> Says that in being sectioned, Frank Bruno moved from lovable buffoon to the much feared uncontrollable black man.

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 34 >> She gets angry and felt a need to break things, but felt frightened by her level of anger. (Played by an actor)

Has had 3 bouts of depression since 1998 (including a suicide attempt). Main helpful approaches include therapy, Efexor (75mg/day), alternative therapies and writing in a diary.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 23 >> Felt sexual feelings and love for another boy at school in the 60s, but was quite shocked by it, and did not want to be seen as homosexual.

While avoiding medication, helpful approaches have included counselling, self-help books and alternative therapies (e.g. re-birthing). These approaches have helped reduce negative thinking and anxiety.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 07 >> Fears further depression, and compares depression recovery with being in remission from cancer. Worries that he may be getting depressed again when he

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 >> While she constantly thinks about depression, she can now see she has bad days, but they do not mean depression is coming back.

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 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 65+ >> Interview 14 >> Says that while medication helps you to function, people still need to work on themselves and their thinking processes to get better.

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 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> Her GP dispelled her fears about counselling by explaining what would not happen in counselling, and by matching her with a good counsellor.

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.