"My experience of depression"

About 3 years ago, I had a long absence from work due to an abscess on my back. I developed anxiety when I went back to work and this turned into severe depression. I couldn't function normally and felt like I wanted to die. I felt I couldn't face continuing to live in the state I was in and couldn't see anything worth living for. Fortunately, I had a really brilliant GP and CPN who managed to turn my life around.

I saw my GP every two weeks at first and then every month. He was very kind, patient and understanding and he gave me all the time I needed. He referred me to the adult mental health team.

There was a waiting list of about 3 months. After ringing up a few times and convincing the person on the phone that I was really ill and felt like committing suicide, I was assigned a CPN who I found very helpful. She was also very encouraging.

My GP tried me on nearly every anti-depressant drug as I suffered terribly from the side effects of most of them. In the end, we found Lustral suited me the best. I started on a very low dose working up to a higher one. Eventually after about a year, I suddenly began to feel better and have now been off medication for about 6 months.

I feel my GP was really good but I think if I had been assigned a CPN earlier, it would have made a difference.