Janet was first diagnosed with depression after the birth of her first child when she was in her 20's and has experienced low mood and bouts of severe depression almost continuously. Over the years she has tried a number of different antidepressant medicines and later in her life she was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and now takes mood stabilising medication, and antipsychotics as well as antidepressant medication.

Michael has always felt depressed even when he was young. His depression has been very reactive to his work life. Over the years he has tried a number of antidepressants and resided himself to the fact that he would always feel this way. After a severe depressive episode he started taking paroxetine and other medication to help with anxiety and paranoia, as well as having talking therapy. He has taken up a number of activities over the last few years and feels a sense of purpose for the first time in his life. He explains that he still has his ups and downs and alters his antidepressants accordingly. He is not sure about the extent to which taking antidepressants has helped him, but is afraid of the consequences if he stops taking them.