Depression Can Be Fun Magazine Interviews
Take It Easy Magazine Article
Anti-depressants
The big debate…
One in three women have taken antidepressants. The majority were not offered alternatives – such as counselling or advice on exercise – initially, or at their treatment review. We speak to two women: one who feels she couldn’t function without them, and one who feels they’re not the easy option…
FOR
Allison Le Poldevin, 48, from Nantwich says:
‘I suffered from post-natal depression 22 years ago after my first daughter, Daynah, 22, was born. I felt so down I didn’t want to leave the house.
Two months later my GP prescribed Prozac. It helped me get out of the rut I was in, although I did feel dazed the whole time. Then, three years ago I suffered another bout of depression, brought on by stress.
Daynah was away at Huddersfield University and my younger daughter, Anastazia, 19, was off to Central St Martin’s University in London. As a single mum I was going to be on my own for the first time in 20 years.
But this was different from post-natal depression. In my mind I was happy and making plans to go out. But my body was a wreck. I’d wake up every morning shaking. I couldn’t sit still and felt anxious and paranoid constantly. I’d avoid watching the news because I didn’t want to see what was happening in the world. I was scared for my family and friends.
In December2008, I reluctantly went back on antidepressants, this time Citalopram. Slowly the physical symptoms I was suffering disappeared. The antidepressants really helped me get my focus back. I’m now on a very low dose and they’ve stopped the terrible anxiety shakes. I’m much happier. I really don’t know where I’d be now without them.’
Jacqui Jedrzejewksi, Mental Health Lead at NHS direct, says: ‘Depression can be a complex condition with many contributing factors, but it can be treated with the right help p and support. Antidepressants are a very effective way of managing moderate or severe cases, but should only be taken following advice from a GP.
- Support can be sought from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, from a GP, or a specialist Mental Health Helpline.
AGAINST
Helen McNallen 44,
‘From Sheffield says: 10 years ago I suffered a terrible breakdown. I was working 17-hour days in a job I didn’t enjoy. My husband, Duncan, 52, was self-employed so we needed a stable income.
I felt exhausted, but refused to take time off work because I didn’t want to look like a failure. Duncan dragged me to our GP, who diagnosed me with clinical depression and prescribed Prozac. It left me feeling spaced out, but I pushed on at work until, eventually, I collapsed.
Over the next six years I tried every antidepressant on the market. They had awful side effects – I put on four stone in less than a year and came out in hives. Seeing a psychiatrist didn’t help, I found it difficult to open up.
I was still on antidepressants when I tried electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Electric charges were sent through my body in an attempt to shock the depression out of my system. But that didn’t work. It got so bad I tried to take my own life.
In 2006 Duncan and I separated. The strain was too much, but we remained friends. Then my doctor suggested fish oils. I had nothing to lose so I gave it a go. Now I feel in control of my life.
Duncan and I set up a website offering advice. Antidepressants aren’t the only option.’
- For more info go to: http://www.depressioncanbefun.com
Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental charity SANE says: ‘The number of women who have taken antidepressants is a cause for concern. They work for many people, but counselling should be the first step for people with mild to moderate depression. For more severe cases, therapy may not be enough. We need more research into the causes, processes and improved treatments for this condition.’
Are you depressed?
We all feel fed up sometimes but these feelings usually last for a couple of days or weeks at the most. Perhaps you have been feeling like this for longer.
We have designed a test to give you some indication.
