Poor old Sarah Vine

Memories of that week make me angry , I certainly didn’t need her, her grandchildren and family did.

I read the book by Lord Mountbatten's grandson about the bombing that killed his twin. Interestingly he found the Queen one of the most helpful people when he stayed with her. I can understand her being reluctant to bring William and Harry down to London, it must have been a complete nightmare for them.

Callistemon , what caused the distress that week were idiots surrounding Kensington Palace and Buck House sobbing and wailing and playing into the hands of the press,
they were in a panic because Charles Spencer had said the press had killed her , hence the headlines, ‘your people need you ma’am’, hysteria had set in with the sobbing, flower bearing idiots and they agreed with the press.

The issue Sarah Vine was raising has been in the press this week as a result of recent research by Psychiatry. It was believed that the new antidepressants were not addictive and that coming off them wouldn't have the same difficulties associated with the older types.
The latest research suggests that for some people, significant difficulties are associated with coming off their meds. Many report a recurrence of the symptoms that led to the prescription for anti depressants. My immediate thought is to question whether the depression has been masked, there fore the patient helped and to ask about the costs vbenefits of long term usage.
MH problems like anxiety and depression can stop people working,stop people functioning in their personal lives. Most of us avoid medication where we can but some health problems mean long term medication use is essential. For me, this means significant disease modifiers to stop RheumatoidArthritis dominating my life so negatively.

The points made by other posters about the dreadful impact of this governments austerity programme on the health service, with mental health right at the bottom of the pile.

I wonder, though, if the Royals may think that fresh air, exercise and a 'stiff upper lip' is the answer?

Unless anyone has suffered the trauma of the sudden loss of a parent at such a young age, I doubt we will know how we would feel.
All in the glare of the world's press too.
Poor boys

I doubt the royals will be going through a 9 month wait for CAHMS and thereafter practically no support.

Money is no protection from mental illness
That is so true, Anniebach

I do feel for you and what you went through, gillybob.

However, I do think that William and Harry went through both the trauma of their mother's sudden death which was exacerbated by the fact that the world's media was focussed on them and their family. The Queen tried to protect them by taking them to Balmoral but the PM at the time, Blair, tried to claim the moral high ground by saying that their mother was 'The People's Princess' - ie, that their beloved mother was in fact public property and that they had a duty to perform in front of the cameras and to display their grief to the world.
Poor boys. That would have been enough to have sent any child into a state of depression - they may have had all the money, help and support available but this would not take away from the fact that their every move was there for greedy public consumption.

I read it online if something catches my eye. More of a scan than a read.

As a sometimes reader of the Daily Mail I find it quite amusing the amount of people who vilify the paper, yet must read it, otherwise how would they know what's in there

Depression is not being down or fed up. Of course a doctor is highly skilled at assessing for depression. He/she can use a number of standardised tests, ask the relevant questions and observe the persons demeanor.

May I ask what leads you to the assumption that " invariably" the patient leaves with a prescription. As for " swallowing these things" does this apply to other illnesses or is it just people with depression who have to ignore all that modern pharmacy can offer?

That example of a '3 week depression' clearly wasn't true depression and just brings into doubt just how many of those increasing numbers of cases of depression are correct.

I have long noticed that these days nobody ever seems to say that they feel sad, unhappy, miserable or down - everyone has to claim to be 'depressed'

They then turn up at the GP surgery, and of course in the 10 minute consultation it would be impossible for the doctor to establish whether the person did really have true depression or not.

Invariably I suspect the patient leaves with a prescription for antidepressants which confirms in their mind that they are ill.

As has been shown in recent newspaper articles, these antidepressants can be very difficult indeed to get off, and I do wonder just how many people swallowing these things realise what they could be letting themselves in for.

Yes I apologise. Of course they do. I'm not trivialising serious problems. My own brother took his own life. It's just that I was reading about someone famous who said they had had a nervous breakdown and depression, that it was awful and lasted three weeks.

KatyK a lot of "celebs" commit suicide due to depression/anxiety that's not "getting over it quickly".

All seem to get better quickly ? This isn’t so, some do not all.

The Labour Party has thrown out a member who speaks out about mental health more than anyone in the public eye

All these celebs who say they are suffering with mental health problems seem to get better quickly. They go into rehab or have counseling. I have been offered counseling but the GP added 'there is a long waiting list though'.

I think the problem with the rich and powerful talking about depression is that they can and do access the very best in services but they are unwilling to provide the best for everyone else. It's a bit like Marie Antoinette and "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche" only in this case it's "we are ill as well". Great they can talk about it but better if they acknowledged that better services are needed and need funding.

I think I get what you are saying gilly.

It's much easier to get treatment for depression if you can pay for it rather than waiting for NHS treatment for a start.

I have never ever, said “what have you got to be depressed about” to (or about) anyone annie never !

I realise that depression can effect anyone, young, old, rich poor.

You obviously don’t understand what I am trying to say. So I will leave it right here.

gilly do you not realise it is comments like yours has caused mental health to be put on the back burner ?

‘What has he / she got to be depressed about ‘,

I could say the same to you, - I have no family now, my husband is dead, you have your husband, you family with you, what have you got to be depressed about compared to me ? But I know this is unfair and judgmental

Can you not see this is your attitude?

I am not being unkind, just trying to explain the most damaging words are ‘ what have you got to be depressed about’.

Should have read through before posting as I meant “something that I could have never afforded for my son....” not for me. I don’t care about me.

No I do not Annie not at all and I did not suggest it was. The point I was trying to make is that wealth can and does buy the best help and treatment. Something that I and my son could never afford. Also W and H have had very, very privileged lives that have enabled them to experience and enjoy so many things that most of us could only dream of which must help tremendously.

W won’t ever understand that feeling of being so down you don’t know how you can face the day but having to go to work in a sh*t job anyway (who else will pay the bills). That hopeless feeling of having nothing in the world to look forward to, just more of the bloomin’ same cr*p day in and day out.

Gilly. Do you think the grief William suffered after the death of his mother was less than your children’s grief ?

Money is no protection from mental illness

Thank You, GrannyGravy, the voice of reason. I am going through a particularly bad patch at the moment.

Also I genuinely feel worried about the state of the country and I feel we have all been badly let down.

I don't care for the article or the writer and I am entitled to hold these views.

Yes I know that Chewbacca and maybe my post did come across as bitter, but wealth can buy you (or a loved one) the best help available which most sufferers do not get.