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Patient experience

The story of Claire

After a lot of what I believe were wasted years being treated for depression, I was finally diagnosed with having manic depression late last year.

Because of all this I missed out much of my three children growing up as I was unable to cope most of the time. I also ended up with two failed marriages and being sent to jail.  I very nearly lost the support of my children and my first grand child.  By now I was so bad that some thing had to be done. To this day I don't know how I did it but I dragged my self to our local community mental health center where they got the duty social worker to see me, who then in turn got the psychiatrist to see me who promptly put me on lithium along with my seroxat.

 I still have regular blood tests and the lithium has been increased a few times.  I see a c.p.n regularly now and my children now understand all about my illness.  One thing I have learnt is that I have to have proper rest and to try not to take every body else's problems on board. I have also learnt how to say no and not to feel to bad about it. I also try to eat on a regular basis and eat a well balanced meal. Whilst I don't always feel too good and quite often can't get through the day I know that this time it wont last for ever. I can even enjoy reading a book again, something I couldn't do for about three years, I also enjoy life again and even managed to go abroad this year with some friends. I just wish people would think twice before they say say "oh snap out of it" or "pull your self together" as this is not the answer.

 We are indebited to the Depression Alliance for their help in compiling this section.