Susan – Interview 22
Susan has experienced depression numerous times over the course of her life. While she has not been medically diagnosed she characterises her experience as depression and takes antidepressant medication (sertraline). In addition, she finds exercise, spending time with friends and family, and pursuing her interests in music and photography helpful.
Susan’s family moved around overseas numerous times. She first experienced depression when she was 22 and living in England. This was linked to what she describes as a disastrous first relationship that was ’emotionally devastating;. She says during this time she felt ghastly’ and was abusing alcohol and marijuana. She moved to Sweden to be with her parents and recovered but still recalls this time with great sadness. Susan was not diagnosed with depression at this time but describes this experience as depression.
When Susan was 28 she returned to Australia and became involved in a series of unhappy relationships that further contributed to her depression. She consulted a doctor, who prescribed diazepam. During this time she took a camping trip with her brother, which she says helped her to get better, as did meeting her current partner. Although Susan has never been medically diagnosed with depression, she says she thinks of her episodes of sadness and grief as depression. She describes her depression as a tide, or a wave that ebbs and flows;, and uses the metaphor of a basin, which at certain times can overflow due to grief or stress;. When this happens Susan consults her GP, who she has an excellent, long-term relationship with. Susan would prefer not to take medication, but acknowledges it has been helpful.
Recently Susan has experienced depression related to the death of her mother, her voluntary redundancy and ceasing her involvement in her community choir. Her mother’s death has been extremely difficult, particularly the deterioration of her mother’s health before she died, and having to sell her mother’s home. Her partner has been extremely supportive of her during this time. The anniversary of her mother’s death has been a particularly difficult time for Susan. She has spoken with a grief counsellor and has found this to be very helpful.
Susan has a number of strategies to help herself, including maintaining her exercise, keeping in touch with her social network both online, via Facebook, and friends she regularly sees for lunches or breakfasts. She also absorbs herself in music, photography and learning languages, or by cooking.
Susan describes recovery from depression as regaining her ‘zest for life’, or her ‘joie de vivre;. She has regained an interest in goals and desires for the future, particularly places she wants to travel to. She would encourage anyone experiencing depression to consult their doctor and remember their family.