Twice recently I have read and been told that people with depression and emotional problems are the most sensitive and feeling people, who are basically aware and always have been of their impact on others and therefore are prone to depression.

This might be a generalisation which could be tested and disagreed with statistically but I am going with it.

When I went to my GP to suggest antidepressants, I came away with a prescription but didn't take them. At the last minute as he opened the door and was saying goodbye, he said the following:

"It's always the nice kind sensitive caring people who express their feelings like you do.."

Now I'm not saying I am totally a lovely person, I am not and who is! However, those words stopped me taking the prescription. I walked home feeling happy! It didn't solve my depression or insomnia, I still suffer. But I felt quite a nice person for once and thought about what he said for days afterwards.

Then I read a letter in The Times from Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin. He ended his letter with these words and this is an exact quote unlike my doctor's words above (which I probably chose to hear but was what he said in substance)

"...People with mental illness, are, I find, among the wisest, kindest and sanest people I have ever met."

I may still take anti depressants. I am not against taking them. However Brendan's Kelly's words did strike a chord with me and has confirmed what I've thought for years about the Moodscope community, about my friends here, how kind and caring we all are.

And yet we find fault with ourselves, we want to change and will take drugs to help this, we are unhappy with what we see as a weakness or an inability to function.

Shouldn't we take another look at ourselves and see us in a different light? Take heed of those words of that Professor of Psychiatry. Believe them. We are wise, sane (yes sane) and the kindest.

Jul

A Moodscope member