Amanda lifts the lid on living with depression (From Echo)

Amanda lifts the lid on living with depression

10:20pm Tuesday 9th June 2009

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DESPITE the fact it will affect one in four people at some point in their lives, depression remains a bit of a dirty word.

Although increasing awareness of the illness and improved access to help and treatment are helping break the taboos surrounding depression, there is still a long way to go before mental health will be as openly discussed as other medical problems.

However, there has been some progress as more and more people who have been affected by mental illness choose to speak out about their experiences in order to help others who may be suffering alone.

Depression and anxiety sufferer Amanda Read, 43, says before she was affected by depression she had no idea of the reality of living with the illness.

“Seven years ago I could cope with almost anything and would never have dreamt of how debilitating this illness can be,” she says.

“I suffer memory loss, have no concentration, have sleeping problems, I don’t want to go out or even get out of bed sometimes. I have no energy, and have also felt I can’t carry on. It is so frightening when this happens to you.”

Mental health problems are equally common in men and women, but the way the sexes are affected differs. Women are more likely to be affected by depression and anxiety, while men suffer more from substance abuse such as alcoholism and anti-social personality disorders.

Men are also most at risk of attempting to take their own lives, as 75 per cent of suicides are men, mostly under the age of 35.

Amanda’s illness began after a series of traumatic personal events, combined with stress, led to her suffering anxiety and depression.

Although her family and friends have been a great support to her, she still finds general attitudes to the condition difficult to deal with.

The mum-of-two says: “I would much prefer it if the words mental illness were changed to mind illness, because the word mental has such a stigma attached to it.

“People who have no insight into the illness just think you’re a nutter or loony, but that is far from the truth. Depression is an illness where your life stands still and is full of tears, despair and desperate loneliness.”

The physical effects often go unremarked upon, but can include weight loss or gain, lethargy and disturbed sleep, which can have a huge effect on sufferers’ day-to-day lives.

Amanda, who lives in Westcliff, says: “If I was wearing a bandage on my head or had my leg in plaster people would see I was unwell, but this illness is also physical. Sometimes just making a cup of tea is like climbing a mountain.”

In common with many people who are prescribed medication for their condition, Amanda has also experienced difficulties as her doctors tried to find the correct medication for her.

She says: “It is very difficult to find the right pills to suit each person and it often takes a long time to find the right balance. Often the side effects are difficult to cope with too.

“Things are getting better in the NHS, but a lack of funding and resources is still a problem.”

Amanda has also had to cope with the loneliness the condition can also cause, with some friends and acquaintances struggling to know what to do or say. “One in four people has some kind of mental illness in their life, but there is still such a stigma about it all,” she says.

“I have lost touch with some good friends and I know it’s not because they don’t care. It’s because they don’t understand and feel helpless when I just don’t seem to be getting better.

“People say, ‘pull yourself together, try harder’ and I say, ‘I don't want to feel like this. Don’t you think I would if I could?’ It is just my two wonderful children, family, friends and the medical teams who have kept me going.

“But I am getting there slowly, and I am passionate about getting this message across to people.”

Amanda has chosen to speak about her experiences after being moved by the story of Rob and Jan Hubbard, of Cliff Parade, Leigh.

They are dedicating 2009 to raising £20,000 for depression charity Depression Alliance in memory of their youngest son Luke, who suffered from depression since his teens and died, aged just 30, after suffering heart failure.

Amanda says: “I was very touched by the article. Rob and Jan are doing a marvellous job raising money for Depression Alliance.

“The need for charities like this is so huge because there are so many people who do suffer. Some suffer alone because of the stigma, which is very sad.

“I would urge anyone if they have got a few pounds to spare to donate to the wonderful work Luke’s parents are doing. The money is greatly needed not only for the patients, but for support for their families too.”

For more information and to donate to the appeal in memory of Luke visit www.justgiving.

com/forluke

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