Comments on: Getting to grips with depression

By: Welshcakes Limoncello

Welshcakes Limoncello — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:20:57 +0000

What a heartbreaking letter. Sadly, people in the “caring professions” can be very unsympathetic when dealing with one of their own.

By: jmb

jmb — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:50:13 +0000

It always amazed me how even people in the health professions cannot get their head around the fact that depression is a an illness in some ways like a broken leg. Something is broken but you can’t see it and no one can fix their own broken leg so why expect people to pull out of a depression without help. Fortunately though, in many cases, it is self limiting and time can take care of it for some but we all need to be very supportive of people who are suffering just as much as with any physical illness.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:53:37 +0000

And remember, the wonderful Samaritans are there to help people who feel depressed and suicidal.

http://www.samaritans.org/

By: Michael Manning

Michael Manning — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:44:20 +0000

Ellee: While a Psychology major in college, I completed my Fieldwork Practicum at a 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Intervention hotline. Your post is no doubt increasing awareness of depression and the need for each of us to reach out to those in crisis. Many lives can be saved. I’m glad you have cared enough to take this topic on with courage and compassion!

By: clifton apartments

clifton apartments — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:04:15 +0000

Great post. Small things always add up and make a big effect

By: Jean-Luc Picard

Jean-Luc Picard — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:05:31 +0000

So sad that even sucessful people suffer from depression.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:54:29 +0000

Frugal Dougal, Manic depression is a terrible illness,and I am sorry to hear about your experiences.

I very much hope Anne’s son is being helped and supported through this very difficult time.

By: Frugal Dougal

Frugal Dougal — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:51:39 +0000

Anne, what a sad story: it seems that as we lose more mental health resources, those that are left are reserved for people whom not being treated would be likely to lead to a court-case.

I’ve only ever experienced prejudice in one setting – when I was in one of the two psychiatric wards to which I was admitted, before my diagnosis of manic depression. It was as if a psychiatric nurse seeking treatment for a mental health disorder smacked of hubris. Thank you, Ellee, for giving this issue, which society often seeks to turn its face away from, a much-needed airing.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:47:21 +0000

Anne, I’m so sorry to hear about your sister and son. I wish him well; all he can do is take one day at a time.

By: anne

anne — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:28:59 +0000

I lost my sister through depression, in 2007 when she took her own life..my son also suffers from some form, but we don’t know what, and the years we have had to fight to get him help is beyond a joke. At the moment it looks like things are stable, but he had to leave his family home and live on his own, and he split up with his partner with two little children. No-one to help him or them. He has been given a job, which is excellent, lets hope he can cope.