Depression

Depression can be a debilitating and devastating experience. You can feel that there is no hope, no future, no relief. You can want to stop living, in order to stop the horrendous feelings you are having. You can also experience physical problems related to your depression, like sleeping too much or not enough, eating too much or losing your appetite, complete exhaustion, unexplained pain and lack of concentration.

"Talking treatments" can be very effective in helping you get out of your depression. Seeing a counsellor or therapist will give you the opportunity to talk through any problems you may have, and help you to come to your own conclusions about solutions which may improve your situation.

Some people choose to take anti depressants to help them out of their depression. There are many types of anti depressant, and what works for you may not work for someone else. Some will make you more tired which can be good if you are having trouble sleeping, others can give you more energy if you are exhausted all the time. Some people swear by anti depressants, while others condemn them. Your doctor and people around you may encourage you to take them so for a balanced view it is worth looking at the alternative opinions too. One good website can be found here. This website also has useful information for if you want to come off anti depressants (it is very important to never just stop taking them, you must always reduce them gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms which can seem like a relapse).

For many people, depression is a result of unbearable life circumstances, for instance abuse, rape, poverty or domestic violence. Anti depressants will therefore only temporarily relieve your symptoms, they will not cure the underlying problem. Anti depressants have been criticised by many as a panacea, and as a way of silencing women so that they do not talk of the abuse they have suffered - instead they take their pills and maintain the status quo so that violence, abuse and rape can continue. Discussing these issues with others will make everyone more aware of the reality of many women's lives, and encourage change. For some women, taking political action around these issues, for instance going on "Reclaim the Night" marches, or writing to MPs about the disgraceful conviction rates for rapists (currently in the UK only 1 in 13 reported rapes end in a conviction), can be a way of taking back power and reclaiming our lives.

by Philippa Willitts

Picture of my lego clone!

Name :
Philippa Willitts (Pippa)

Email :
purple_pippa@yahoo.com