• Clip
• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 25 >> When she was a child she thought she was going into a children's home as a punishment because she was born with cancer and was too much trouble.

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 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 >> Describes the varying success he has had with trying to defeat the negative voice in his head. (Played by an actor)

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

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 11 >> She thought negatively when depressed, and her mind jumped to negative conclusions, and she felt like others were talking about her.

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 29 and under >> Interview 02 >> The curative effect of Efexor (venlafaxine) was her proof she had a brain chemical imbalance, although she believed she needed therapy to deal with le

Effective approaches include medication (currently Efexor 75 mg/day), hypnotherapy and counselling. Was finding it difficult to find therapy in the NHS.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 32 >> Pleads for more talking therapies to be provided to help people sort out their problems.

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 65+ >> Interview 13 >> He feels that hospital staff need to be more engaging and nurturing of depressed patients who feel negative about themselves.

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 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> Describes how when she is depressed her thinking focuses on the negative rather than the positive.

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 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Explains how he became suicidal while on antidepressant medication. (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 09 >> Describes how his thinking was negative early on in life, but he only became aware of it when someone pointed it out. (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 30-39 >> Interview 04 >> Describes noticing how depression for him meant a racing and negative mind. (Played by an actor)

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

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 06 >> Discusses how a therapist helped her to see that she might not be at fault if an acquaintance ignored her.

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 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 22 >> Describes her illogical yet powerful thoughts that she was responsible for an office argument. (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 23 >> Describes how he has noticed he has a rational self (positive thought) and neurotic self (negative thoughts).

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 30-39 >> Interview 04 >> His doctor recommended physical activities, so he took up gardening, even though sceptical, but found that it did help to distract him and fight off n

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

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> Explains she learnt how to better deal with the 'chatter box' in her head through reading a cognitive behaviour therapy style book.

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 30-39 >> Interview 09 >> Talks about how his academic research into depression led to useful information, such as how his rumination lead to negative thinking. (Played by an a

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 30-39 >> Interview 04 >> Urges very depressed people to get medical help without delay because they are not in a position to help themselves. (Played by an actor)

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

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 10 >> When depressed he thought that his friends and family didn't like him, but therapy helped him to see the distortion of this thinking.

Helpful approaches include counselling (which has helped him to address past abuse as well as being gay) removed himself from a bullying workplace; settling debts, swimming and moving away from London.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 23 >> Christmas time brings the absence of family into sharper focus for him; he feels he has somehow failed because he has no partner.

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 30-39 >> Interview 35 >> After having mania and being released from hospital she had debts and became depressed, and so could not work, even though she needed to pay off debts

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 40-54 >> Interview 39 >> Her depression lifted but left her lacking confidence, yet she was fortunate to be able to gradually return to work.

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 >> Through therapy has discovered why she is unhappy, including feeling at fault for things that go wrong around her, and so can tackle her depression be

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 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> Setting small tasks or 'mini goals' is a way of feeling you have achieved something, rather than feeling a failure.

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 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.