Depression Can Be Fun Magazine Interviews
Full House Mag - “My hubby had two wives”
Each day, he never knew which ‘me’ he’d wake up to.
For the first time in ages I felt unstoppable. ‘You look great’ my husband, 54, said. ‘Are you going out?’
‘I’m off into town’ I said.
‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’ he frowned.
There was a good reason for Duncan to be protective. Six years earlier, I’d been diagnosed with clinical depression. I’d always been and upbeat and positive person. But suddenly I’d started isolating myself. I’d work late all week to avoid friends and Duncan. Then at weekends, I’d stay in bed crying.
I was scared to admit there was anything wrong. I thought having a mental illness meant I was a failure.
After months of ignoring my symptoms, I had a breakdown and was admitted to a mental health hospital.
I’d tried countless antidepressants before I finally found one that seemed to work.
Now, I felt unstoppable as I looked around the shops. So unstoppable, I decided I was ready to go back to work.
I spent over £100 on smart suits. The next day though, I felt awful. I wasn’t ready to go back to work. For days, I cried in bed.
Then I suddenly felt great again. Before, I’d been constantly depressed. But now, I was up and down.
‘I don’t know what Helen I’m going to wake up to’, Duncan said. It was putting more strain on our relationship. ‘It’s worse than before’, I sobbed to my doctor. ‘I’m euphoric, and then I come down five times as hard’.
‘The medication has induced bipolar’, the doctor said. ‘I’ll prescribe you a strong omega-3 fatty acid four times a day. It should help’, he said.
I had to change my lifestyle, too. I started therapy and talking about the way I felt, and hearing that others felt the same helped. I also got involved in the campaign Time to Change which helped me teach my family and friends how to cope with my condition.
After a month, I felt more in control. Now, I work with the NHS in mental health and help others like me. I even have my own website called, Depression Can Be Fun. I still have my down days, but I can cope because I know they will pass. I’m living proof that you can live with depression and still feel happy.
Helen, 45, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Time to Change is an anti-stigma campaign run by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. For more information, visit http://www.time-to-change.org.uk.
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