Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Interview 21

Effective treatments include lithium (400mg/day), day care centre activities (e.g. creative activities), distracting herself from depression, counselling, diet changes and Internet research.

  • Background

    Is a divorcee and teacher with 2 children (12, 15 years). She has had 3 episodes of depression (bipolar) each year for the past 3 years, recovering by Christmas.

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 20

    Her recovery initially came about after hospitalisation including Electroconvulsive Therapy. With supportive long-term therapy and medication (Prozac and lithium) she has been in recovery ever since 1989.

  • Background

    Originally from Northern Europe, is a health professional. In 1989 her ’emotions caught up’ with her, and she became severely depressed and also had psychosis.

  • Age at interview 47
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 19

    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).

  • Background

    Married with children, was anxious as a child and felt ill-fitted with her family. She left university due to anxiety and struggled for years at a bullying workplace before a...

  • Age at interview 50
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 04

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

  • Background

    A married teacher living in London. Multiple episodes of depression starting in childhood, bouts tend to occur when he is doing well. (Played by an actor.)

  • Age at interview 31
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 05

    Has very good care from his GP. Medication was somewhat effective. He recently stopped taking Lithium and Effexor.

  • Background

    A computer programmer, married with children, who has had a number of episodes of depression, the most recent was very severe. (Played by an actor.)

  • Age at interview 33
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 06

    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.

  • Background

    A married health care professional, with 4 children. Has probably suffered since her teens. She experiences mainly depressive episodes with some euphoria in-between.

  • Age at interview 44
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 08

    With the ongoing care of her GP and ongoing counselling with a skilled practitioner, she has been in recovery since early 2003. Not currently on medication.

  • Background

    Works as a receptionist. She had a difficult childhood. She has been sectioned in the past, been on numerous medications, and had ECT (Eletroconvulsive Therapy) which she did not like....

  • Age at interview 33
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 09

    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.

  • Background

    A computer technician, who has been depressed for most of his life. There was conflict and early loss in his family, and he has not responded to medication. (Played by...

  • Age at interview 35
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 10

    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.

  • Background

    Works part time in the tourism industry, living in a coastal town. Suffered depression and anxiety at a time when he was in a highly confrontational customer relations job.

  • Age at interview 30
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 11

    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.

  • Background

    A married woman who was a customer manager until the birth of her son in 1998 and the death of her mother, at which time she had a severe post-natal...

  • Age at interview 39
  • Sex/Gender Female