Introduction

First and foremost I will cover my experiences with depression. My earliest memory of feeling depressed was around the age of 9, the thoughts and feelings I experienced during this episode were of frustration that I was feeling like this again, how many times I had felt this before and for how long is not clear.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression in the year 2006. Since, I have been on various dosages of Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Amitriptyline and have had a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) courtesy of the NHS in Scotland.

I don't want to slate CBT too much as I know of many people who have benefited from it, particularly people who had issues with anxiety or phobias. However, I feel it is redundant for someone like myself who is already an analytical thinker and whose depression does not appear to be controlled emotional events.

The medications prescribed had worked to an extent, lowering the ceiling and raising the floor of my mood swings. They also made me feel physically and mentally lethargic requiring me to go for naps at inconvenient times throughout the day. I was also building up a tolerance to each after a while.

Personally, I'm starting to feel let down by NHS and the options that are available to me through them. I have decided it is time to take responsibility in managing this condition myself, and not be left to health practitioners who are limited in the help they can provide by a government who are more concerned about reducing the national deficit my the needs of my mental health.

Through this blog I intend to document the alternative steps I am making to improve my mental health and record there outcome. I welcome you to post feedback on these posts and together we can hopefully find a more practical solution to living with depression.


To peace, health and happiness.