Roisin had experienced depression since she was very young but it wasn't until some months after she gave birth to her daughter that she went to the GP for help. At the time she felt she wasn't taken seriously enough and the various antidepressants she was prescribed didn't work for her. Eventually she referred herself to a psychiatric hospital and finally found an antidepressant that suited her and helped her recover.

Rachel has suffered from depression since she was a child although she didn't seek help until she was around 20. She has been prescribed numerous antidepressants over the years but has found it difficult to cope with side effects and says that antidepressants take away her motivation and vitality.

Caroline took antidepressants during two periods of her life when she became clinically depressed, but came off them when her mood had stabilised and her GP advised her to stop taking them. When she experienced a third episode of depression her doctor prescribed citalopram which she has taken on an ongoing basis ever since. She finds this keeps her mood stable, and is happy to continue taking them for the rest of her life rather than become depressed again.

Andrew had been feeling out of sorts for a couple of years losing interest in things he used to enjoy and finding life increasingly difficult, before he saw the doctor who diagnosed depression and recommended taking citalopram alongside having a course of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). It took about six weeks to begin to take effect, but he found that the medication helped him enormously and he now finds life enjoyable again. He is still taking citalopram and has no plans to stop at the present time, although he says when he is ready he will talk to his GP about how long to continue taking it for.

Olivia is divorced and has three children. She works in scientific research. Ethnic background: White British

Thomas first experienced depression when he was taking his A levels and has been prescribed several different antidepressants over the last few years. He had a major period of depression during the time he was studying for a PhD but did not feel that any of the medication he tried was helpful.