Someone once told me: 'You'll be on these indefinitely'

I SPOKE up about depression for the Someone Once Told Me website around two years ago now.

My audio interview can be found in an earlier post.

Now I've found this video from a young woman who's talking frankly about accepting she has clinical depression and that this is a major illness needing treatment.

Thanks to her for sharing her story and thanks to Mario for helping tell it.

Comments

[Judith Haire]

A courageous video - my own view is there is no genetic link to mental health problems, more so environmental/upbringing. I was told I'd have to take Olanzapine for life and that was the catalyst for me wanting to come off medication which I did under supervision, in 2000. Life has not been without its difficulties without medication and in the past l0 years I've had to take medication several times but for periods of a few weeks only. For most of the time I've been well. Giving up medication is courageous and much support is needed and i would urge this young woman to ask for that support and to try other treatments such as talking therapies or cognitive behavioural therapy rather than stay on meds for life, unless she truly wants to.

[jay]

Very brave video, though I do wish many more people would be as courageous. After knowing I've had it for around 17 years now, I'm definitely at the point where I don't mind talking about it to anyone; oddly enough I find people aren't so keen to listen.

I "went cold turkey" with my meds in 2001 and have been determined not to go back on them. So far, so good. I hope this woman finds the right support to continue to lead as normal a life as possible.