Video: depression

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Depression

Depression is a serious illness. It is very different from the common experience of feeling unhappy, miserable or fed up for a short period of time. In this video, psychiatrist Dr Cosmo Hallstrom explains the disorder.

Last reviewed: 15/09/2010

Next review due: 15/09/2012

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7 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

pinkandblue said on 18 April 2012

anti depressants have made a huge difference to me. ive had councilling and therapies which helped alot but i still couldnt consentrate and memory problems were getting extreme. ive been on the tablets a few months now and have had major improvments. i look at it this way, medication is a last resort but when it doesnt get better any other way its important to use that option. my body obviously needs to repair itself and antidepressants allow that

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CheerfulDragon said on 11 August 2010

One thing I found off-putting in that video is the insistence on the need for medication. I have mild-to-moderate depression, which is associated with my condition (relapsing-remitting MS) and possibly a side-effect of the medication. The last thing I want to do is pump more drugs into my body. If a GP's attitude is that I should be on anti-depressants, I'm not going to see him.

There are other ways of dealing with mild-to-moderate depression. Exercise and being active are known to help That's the route I'm going to try. It may even help to get my weight down. Now that will really improve my mood!.

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Eilish A M said on 13 March 2010

hmm. i think its oright what he said. i was diagnosed with "moderate" depression half a year back. n well i stopped my treatment.i cant keep everything up. too much to do. unfortunately my mental state is wearing away.but i care from a family member with Chronic Pain Syndrome. theres no time for me.

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charlie1972 said on 16 January 2009

I completely agree with what Lazybones has said. I am currently under medication and I am just starting sessions with a Community Psychiatric NUrse. I believe it is only the individual that change things but the first step is to see the doctor. My doctor was extremely sympathetic and the NHS has put me in touch with the Mental Health Services. I believe my troubles have steadily got worse over the last five years. I have used alcohol to hide sensitive things to me that happened when I was a child, sexual abuse. I believe that the attitude of day by day helps me because some days are better than others. I believe once I can manage the abuse then I believe my life will get back together.

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brianm said on 20 September 2008

Further to my last comment, I would add that I have suffered severe clinical depression and got a lot better, although I don't beleive there is a complete cure. But you can look forward to a happy life if you take advice and medication, and make a decision that only you can change things.

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brianm said on 20 September 2008

Sorry, it's not like that. When you become clinically depressed, this information would not help at all The main problem is extreme sadness, lack of will and disassociation. I know you are trying to not panic people, but there should be some information for those that feel in extreme stress.

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lazybones said on 30 August 2008

I found out the hard way, when you carry on neglecting things at work and at home in a self destructive downward spiral depression is the last thing you thing of. Its everyone elses fault you never blame yourself until someone with insight told me to go to the doctor. After starting antidepressants and with the help of an extremely sympathetic and hard working Community Psychiatric Nurse I came through it to restore what Ihad before. Even if you only think you may need help - do it.
Lazybones

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