Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
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.
Is a gay male academic. He experienced early loss of family members as a child, bullying, and sexual confusion. He has suffered ongoing anxiety and depression.
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.
Is a divorcee who is currently on Cipramil (60mg/day). She has had dysthymia and bouts of depression throughout her life, yet she has only been diagnosed recently. (Played by an...
Effective treatments include lithium (400mg/day), day care centre activities (e.g. creative activities), distracting herself from depression, counselling, diet changes and Internet research.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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...
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of a perforated duodenal ulcer and septicaemia. Spent 29 days in intensive care, about 6 weeks in a general ward, and 6 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.
Occupation: PA for ambulance service. Marital status: single. Number of children: no children. Ethnic background: White British.
Went into hospital for a knee replacement operation in 2003. Was admitted to intensive care because of organ failure (lungs). Spent 2 weeks in intensive care and 3 weeks in a general ward.
Occupation: retired non-commissioned officer. Marital status: married. Number of children: 4. Ethnic background: White British.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.
Occupation: steel shutter fitter. Marital status: married. Number of children: 4. Ethnic Background: White British.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.
Occupation: retired management consultant. Marital status: married. Number of children: 3. Ethnic background: White British.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of severe pneumonia. Spent 30 days in intensive care and 8 days in a general ward.
Occupation: none at time of interview. Marital status: married. Number of children: 2. White British.
