It is good that high profile people who have suffered mental illness are coming out of the closet. If we hear of successful people having mental illness, the social stigma may be lessened a little.

Depression - or talking about it - is growing in popularity, much like the I-am-a-star-so-I-must-line-up-for-rehab cult

Leigh. You need to get laid, dude.

I shouldn't dignify Leigh's contemptuous comment except to say something about rehab. Rehab is not necessarily a solution because some people may be convinced that they have a solution to their problems if they take a short break from the world - a sort of quick fix.

The way out of depression permanently really means fundamentally changing your world view. Depending on the individual it can entail counselling, meds or a combination of both. But depression will continue if the depressed person maintains the same mindset and doesn't want to change.

The clinical psychologist Dorothy Rowe at www.dorothyrowe.com.au is an inspiration to me. Those who are interested should seriously get hold of some of her books.

"It is good that high profile people who have suffered mental illness are coming out of the closet"

Yeah, good for drug company and psychiatrist back pockets maybe.
But good for depression sufferers? Remains to be seen.

Well Donnie it's patently a good idea if it lets depression sufferers know they're not alone.

Having said that, I find the statistics he uses somewhat disturbing. As someone who's been undergoing treatment for depression for over three years his happy stats on speedy recovery just make me feel worse.

David JS wrote about changing a mind-set. Maybe he has done CBT
with or without meds. I hope it worked for him. There are many different 'types' of 'depression' David. Some of us fought the sadness for 40 years, changed mind-sets, changed careers, changed
outlook on and on it went. One day I got to work and I couldn't speak. My body (read brain) just refused to work any longer, hospital, meds. In two weeks I felt what I understood to be 'normal'
for the first time in my adult life. My mother died at 53 after a lobotomy..shrinks think mine is inherited. I think too many people
(not you) are latching on to the next new thing...depression....
some are genuine, some will not be. We all need to be kinder to ourselves. If we keep hurting ourselves,(depressed) we must believe deep down that we deserve it...and yes, the awareness and treatment is ongoing for the rest of our lives, for some of us... Be still and nurture yourself.
Lesley

"Be still and nurture yourself''

I can't help thinking that it's this mindset that is signficantly to blame for the depression "epidemic''. It all seems to be about self, self, self. Self-fulfilment, self-esteem, self-satisfaction...

If you're self-centred and think you have some sort of right to be happy all - or even most - of the time, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

I was very surprised to sign up today and find Geoff's item. You see I've had this thing since I was 10. Always felt "wrong" but never knew why. Until the major events at 35 and 48 kicked me out of my tree. In between I used alcohol and somehow it sustained me for those 14 years.

Alas the last hit has not let go yet, 8 years ago.

I've done it all, like Lesley and there is no answer for some. I have recently, 3 months ago, been diagnosed as vaguely bi polar, Mixed affective state they call it. In medical terms it basically means "We have no idea but we know you are deeply depressed".

I went into hospital and really enjoyed the company of those like me. Long termers. All with hope but also used to relapses and desperately wanting those periods of reprieve. Good times do exist, even for us.

I came out so well I was full of energy, could write (amateur), actually did things and took my family places. I still plunged quickly down at a word or something simple so I was all over the place. Saw the doc who solved it with the "I don't know" diagnosis. He prescribed a mood stabiliser which removed all the good stuff and left me where I was 7 years back. My partner rang him and he said"It shouldn't have done that". Oh well.

Celebrity sufferers like Geoff are used by the media and organisations like Beyond Blue. Used to pretend there is hope for all when there isn't. Many just have to learn to live with it and ride out the storm.

I feel for Geoff but he's really only just started a journey whcih I hope is short. If he has deferred help for a long time then his trip will be even longer. It's normal.

Some of his statements are the naive dribble doctors give us early on. All the treatments, CBT which doesn't do a cracker for the deep depressions. Drugs, talk, talk, talk.

Continued, sorry.

well well "grn" You sound like the old school of grin and bear it.
Nurturing self does not mean selfish! It means just that nurture yourself etc. and stop expecting others to do so.

You could do with some nurturing methinks. We are talking about clinical depression here 'grn', an illness. This is not a forum
to criticise, but to help others. You sound like a man, (no criticism intended), but I could be wrong.

Lesley

This statement of Geoff's "Since my decision to seek medical help for depression early last year, I have learned (should be learnt mate) a great deal about myself and the condition." too is how we feel. We feel we are getting to grips with the enemy and know what to do. Ahhh, no, we don't. It changes Geoff. Constantly and regularly.

This statement "The more they do, the more they feel they have to do. They act for others and they work beyond reason to achieve at the highest levels." tells me the depression is light and there is hope as deep depression immobilises and isolates you so much you just shut down and hide.

I dislike intensely Geoff's emphasis on professionals as if they have different issues to deal with. They don't. For proof just check out the depression rates in China. They are booming, same rate as here really. Depression doesn't discriminate Geoff. People do.

My view is we are all prone to depression but it is the life events that decide if we feel depression or not. I've had 6 such major events and it was the very first that is the root cause. Yet I am now diagnosed as sort of bi polar. Genetic? 33%, studies show. nvironment, the rest.

I do agree strongly with Geoff about catching it early. That does allow recovery, often quickly. Yet the illness defies that seeking treatment and grows daily. Catch 22.

Other comments. Leigh. If only I could let you feel it mate. Humbling and devastating. Takes everything from you.

Grn. No idea at all. Depression is a highly selfish illness mate. It makes you think of nothing but you. Negative, all of it. You talk internally all day and night, seek within yourself for something, anything. Yes it's about me as that's the nature of the illness.

Would you criticise someone with a broken leg for not walking properly? I guess you would from your attitude.

Lesley, see you at the top of the black hole, OK? Someday.

Apologies for the length but....

Look, I accept that there are people who suffer from debilitating depression and its been with them for most or all of their lives. This is a very small section of the population and they should have our sympathy.

I also accept that people suffer extreme depression caused by extreme life events that can even lead to suicide. In some cases medication might help. But that sort of depression is quite normal for human beings. It is not an illness. I would never tell anyone who was still depressed two years after the death of a loved one to snap out of it, it takes some people longer. But for most the depression will eventually lift.

But I am extremely suspicious of this alleged epidemic of depression that is apparently cutting a swathe through the ranks of wealthy, professionals - and these people who go to a doctor and suddenly discover they have been depressed for the last 35 years. It seems many of those people want to find one root cause for all their problems and "depression" fits the bill.

I agree it's a good thing we're becoming more open in discussing the problems of depression. Like some others here though I am also concerned that it's the pharmaceutical companies who are the big winners in all of this.

It's not well recognized, but I have learnt through personal experience that depression is often the result of an underlying metabolic disorder.

I had always suffered from depression, anxiety and mood swings and in midlife found myself on the verge of mental collapse. After lots of research and testing I eventually learnt I had severely fluctuating blood sugar levels and an underactive thyroid. I now control these conditions through very specific dietary and nutritional measures, plus thyroxine for the thyroid, and have overcome the problems of depression and anxiety as a result.

Drug and behavioural therapies are not the only solutions for dealing with depression. Hopefully, in coming years we will gradually see an increasing awareness that nutritional therapy is a valid and powerful option.

I agree with some of grn's comments. I remember reading a book on a well-off professional's experience with depression. It's called 'Malignant Sadness' (can't remember the author's name). My experience is that it also could be described as 'Malignant Selfishness' - because you do turn inwards and become unhealthily self-obsessed. And it is often really hard to break out of that. Especially if you turn to drugs and alcohol which make the problem worse.

I think depression is becoming more widely recognised. I doubt if there is a recent epidemic. Churchill and Lincoln were clearly affected and probably others long before them. Anyhow, like I said, there is no panacea and different treatments work for different people. Depressed people need to explore all options and not latch onto a "quick fix".

As someone who has probably experienced mild symptoms of this problem for most of his working life I am pleased to find that there are many others who row the same boat.

While the profile of the paper's writer has brought media attention (albeit briefly) to the issue, I wonder just what the average person's conception must be of "the dog", as so many stresses now interact on us today that it probably seems just like another TV commercial - look, (maybe) listen and move on. I wish I could!

After giving birth in 1973 I became depressed the first time in my life
on my 31st birthday. Suicidal attempts landed me more times to hospitals more than I can remember.
There are no treatments under the sun of Australia that was denied of me. I was treated by the best and the worst psychiatrists. One of them prescribed me 36 tablets per day from which eight was largactyl.
The last treatment I was involved with was electro-magnetic shock treatment, at the Alfred Hospitals that resulted in convulsing on the way back to home on the train after each treatment.
After 34 years of suffering from the side effects of treatments and depression itself, two years ago I gave up all treatment. I rejected by my own children, society and my intelligence to solve the unsolvable.
Locked in the house without hope I earnestly pray for death.

After giving birth in 1973 I became depressed the first time in my life,
on my 31st birthday. Suicidal attempts landed me to hospitals more than I can remember.
There are no treatments under the sun of Australia that was denied of me. I was treated by the best and the worst psychiatrists. One of them prescribed me 36 tablets per day from which eight was sleeping tablets. The last treatment; electro-magnetic shocks at the Alfred Hospitals resulted in convulsing on the way back to home on the train after each treatment. I was told that it was triggered by my emotions to the treatment.
After 34 years of suffering from the side effects of treatments and depression itself, two years ago I gave up all treatment. Rejected by my own children, society and my intelligence to solve the unsolvable I
am locked in the house without hope I earnestly praying for death.

Baba,your story brought me undone. Thanks to this forum you are
able to Speak. My mother's story is similar to yours, except she
yielded to having a lobotomy at 53 (in 1965) which killed her.
My children have rejected me also, after I struggled for years
with depression. One feels so alone. I send you love and empathy
dear Baba. Why don't you join Exit International (on the web)
and Dying with Dignity in Victoria. There you will find many
who will support you unconditionally, it may even bring some
lightness into your remaining time on this earth.

Lesley

Baba and Lesley, I'm sorry to hear you sounding so alone. I don't know if this would be helpful or not, but you can connect with others (from your homes) at depressioNet. See
http://depressionet.com.au/

Thank you Media for your concern. Even at this less than personal level, I found it very helpful. I will have a look at the site you
mention.

Lesley

lesley & baba, if I could be of help I'd also recommend Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au). When it comes to serious depression all options should be explored.

DavidJS and Media. You two are amongst a handful of commenters on this
topic, who seem to have an understanding of what depression is. For the benefit of others who have commented in a cursory way, let me say
that the word depression can be misconstrued. Yes, part of the symptomology is sadness, and also suicidal ideation. Some others are constipation, slowness in speech, inability to concentrate, pain in
all joints,(deep stress related), memory loss, complete lack of interest in the world around you, and no matter how hard you try to be interested and involved, eventually you can just become like a rag doll, sitting on a chair, staring into the middle distance, sometimes for years. You don't cry anymore because you cannot feel anything, no emotion whatsoever, you don't wash, you're not hungry.......and if you get to that stage meds. probably won't help, shock treatment won't help, lobotomy is not even an option (that's another story). Post-natal depression is an acute depressive episode, which, in the olden days went unrecognised, for a mother not to be interested in her newborn is the epitomy of someone who is 'not present', completely abnormal,.......get the picture? Being told to pull your socks up
only adds to the sufferers distress in the beginning, after that
the statement has no effect on you. They locked people in asylums in the old days, (mostly women) labelling them as 'mad'. They were not.
I didn't get to the rag doll stage thank God, but I was very close!

Once again, Thank you two for the empathy,and suggestions. I am not locked in my house wanting to die, I think Baba certainly needs some loving attention and care, and Geoff Kennett's initiative, Beyond Blue
is a great place to start.