As someone who has had depression for 25 years, I can say from personal experience that there is no better way to find out who your real friends are than seeing if they stand by you when you are going through a lengthy episode of depression. The majority of ‘friends’ will be nowhere to be found. So it is hardly a surprise that depressed people keep quiet about their problems.

If I hadn’t turned to friends and family to help me when I was really low I don’t know where I’d be. THANK YOU guys, so much x

Yeah but does a study like that really help? Not the way it was reported. Read the Lancet release yesterday and almost half those who anticipated discrimination didn’t experience it. Isn’t that a positive worth reinforcing? Nice gloomy pic too…come on, stop making mental health such an off-putting topic of discussion and start talking about it as fundamental to being human, better or worse, for all of us

what is anticipated discrimination? as someone who has suffered from depression i can tell you when you are depressed it is depression that stops you doing theses things. aniticapated discrimination is just a fancy label for the negative and often incorrect perceptions that go on in ones head when depressed. this article gives off the impression that everyone goes around discriminating against those wit depression. simply not true

The SeeChange programme referred to in the article says that stigma includes using “negative labels to identify people with mental health problems”.

I think that the image used for this article doesn’t do a lot to help minimise stigma of mental health problems. SeeChange work to remind people that these issues can affect anyone at any time during their lives. I feel that an image of someone just going about their normal business might be more appropriate that the negative one used.

Ok I am 11 yrs suffering vicious circle that I don’t seem to be able to control but I had a friend who suffered also! I was there listened and advised but I started to take on her problems too!!! Which meant I was trying to be there for my friend and also trying to sort myself out which didn’t work out sadly I had to cut the friendship I couldn’t help myself and help her(she refused to see a doctor)!! It’s a horrible condition and illness and one that needs medical assistance if you are suffering go to your GP they will be able to talk you through the steps to take might not need medication maybe you just need an ear to listen!! Talking to a stranger is way more better then family sometimes but your family need to know how your feeling so they know how to help xxx

Jibberirish , your comment is soulless and hollow , you can’t be much of a human being if u find it draining . You mean to tell me if the shoe was on the other foot , ur friends would say the same . Sad outlook .

I suffer from the twin ills of addiction and depression. Something happened that caused my condition to become common knowledge and I found a lot of friends deserted me
The only consolation was that i received support from friends that i hadnt counted as friends.

Having developed symptoms of Bipolar disorder 4 years ago, while on “anti-depressants” for panic disorder, the one thing I notice the last 4 years is the lack of emotional support, stigma and discrimination. I am stronger now and do not feel the need for as much support, but I have been through difficult times.

I was lucky enough to meet up with people in Critical Voices Network through the internet and Facebook and met some great people. They want to help bring about change in our ‘mental health system’. They are not a support group but some of the people have got me through some difficult times in recent months. I have been let down by “people” who were going behind my back and reporting back to the ‘mental health service’. And I got to see written evidence of this. It would be an interesting scenario if I was ringing up their doctors behind their back! Once you have a label people treat you completely different and you become aware of that. Be it non verbal communication or whatever. I no longer attend the ‘mental health service’ due to their emphasis on medication.

Avoid Psychiatrists like the plague, with a few exceptions! You may go to them with one problem and end up with bigger problems. And they will judge you and write stuff behind your back that is not true. I know this as I go my records under Freedom of Information and could not believe what I was reading. I do not recommend
getting records as it can open a can of worms!

I only occasionally take medication now. I have done my research. The key for me in trying to get on top of Depression is exercise. I have a bike and I go to the gym. I try to write 3 pages in a journal in the morning. I meditate. Sleep is key. Alcohol needs to be avoided. Diet is important. Reduce sugar. I try to drink enough water and to avoid caffeine. Psychotherapy can help. When I was attending the ‘mental health service’ I had an Occupational therapist and she helped me a lot. I am on a short personal development course at the moment and I get to listen to motivational speaker Lou Tice on DVD. He is very good.

I went way out of my comfort zone this week as I got a chance to speak briefly on The Frontline with Pat Kenny about the impact of mortgage rate hikes. So my stress levels were high. But chances like that do not come up every day.

If on “anti-depressants” do not stop or change medication without consulting a doctor, due to withdrawal but I should never have been put on these drugs. And several years later I still have panic disorder so they do not cure anything! Breathing is important when it comes to panic and stress management. Plus lifestyle. “Anti-depressants” can lead to suicide, violence or mania. Going on or coming off these drugs is a particularly dangerous time.

Here is Psychiatrist Dr Peter Breggin speaking about the “chemical imbalance” theory that has never been proven. For me, depression is very much related to my thought processes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARZ2Wv2BoFs

I also follow the work of Professor Ivor Browne, Professor David Healy (both Psychiatrists) and Dr Terry Lynch who is a GP/Psychotherapist who has recently written a book called “Selfhood” which addresses mental health and recovery. Less than 10% of Consultant Psychiatrists in this country are trained in Psychotherapy which explains a lot. Some of them do not seem to have basic listening skills. They are too busy judging the person and deciding what medication to give them. Going to see Professor Ivor Browne (83) a few months ago was a turning point for me. He told me that I am not “mentally ill” and that was half the battle. He gave me HOPE and direction, as I try to build back my confidence.

I like this short video “I had a black dog, his name was Depression”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

So thinking you might be discriminated against now counts as discrimination? Kind of pointless study. Of course someone with depression is going to have low self esteem and a negative outlook. If course they need to feel able to look for help but I don’t why this study was needed.

I’m the bully , and ur threatening me . Lol . You seriously have issues .

Jibberirish , clearly you are now painting yourself as the little victim , I have a lot of experience with depression , so don’t take that tone you fool . Try deal with it yourself . Your not qualified unless you have , and ones you have lost through it .

I think JibberIrish’s tone is off, but I see his point. It is very tough on the family and friends of those who are suffering from mental health issues. Depression is one thing, but imagine how hard it is dealing with someone who has lost their grip on reality.

All this arguing is depressing

Would depressed people not be paranoid as hell and think the world and it’s wife are against them anyway?