English journalist Tobias Jones married an Italian and moved to Parma 10 years ago – he is author of ’Utopian Dreams’ – about a year he spent living in various communes amongst unusual dreamers. He writes:

”The promise of happiness has created an epidemic of depression – it’s us who are being consumed, not the objects. The consumer culture allows everything to be erased, replicated, replaced. Nothing ever aims for permanency or perfection – we’re constantly buying because we’re cool chameleons – ceaselessly changing and dressing up to assume new roles. We mustn’t ever hint at commitments, because that would limit rights and choices. This way no door is ever closed – no purchase or partner precluded. Sounds good huh? But it’s not. I simply can’t continue living like this.”

A researcher is looking to interview people with experience of depression to find out how they view themselves, and whether that has changed through their experience of depression or recovery from it. Interviews can be arranged to suit in both central Glasgow and central Edinburgh before the 20th June.
If you would like to take part in a short 30 minute interview, please get in touch with Stephen Pollitt by phone on 07894 231869, or email 0910028p@student.gla.ac.uk.

Depression drains the color out of life’s pleasures, robs enthusiasm, and makes everything feel bland and flat — including your sex life. About 35 to 47 percent of people dealing with depression find the mood disorder interferes with their sexuality. That percentage jumps even higher based on the intensity of the condition — more than 60 percent of patients with severe depression report sexual problems. Read more on this at: http://bit.ly/c6yQBe

Depression can sap your motivation to perform even simple tasks, let alone tackle bigger challenges. A powerful way to be productive despite depression is to see depression as a habit, says Joseph Luciani, PhD, a psychologist in New York City and the author of Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression. Viewing depression as a habit rather than simply an illness puts you behind the wheel, so to speak, and helps you change your life. Get 10 ways to find the motivation to take on daily life despite depression here: http://bit.ly/9VL50G

Have you tried GMTV’s ”Depression Test” – read the intro from Dr Hilary first before taking the test – available at http://bit.ly/9x2SRz and share your results with Digital FEAT

Scientists studying depression have found that anxious apprehension or worry negates the ill effects of the condition.

This was in direct contrast to a different type of anxiety called anxious arousal which is characterised by fear and panic.

Scientists made the discovery by monitoring activity in the brain when people were experiencing one of the two types of anxiety while also depressed.

The results suggest that fearful vigilance sometimes heightens the brain activity associated with depression, whereas worry may actually counter it, thus reducing some of the negative effects of depression and fear.

What are your experiences of worrying? Do you agree with this research? Post your replies to Digital FEAT

Former tennis player Cliff Richey has described his struggle with depression in a new book. ”Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” went on sale recently. He wrote it with his daughter, Hilaire Richey Kallendorf, a college professor.
Richey led the United States to the Davis Cup title in 1970.
Richey’s clinical depression was not diagnosed until just before his 50th birthday during a routine visit to the skin doctor. He has since become an advocate for mental health, speaking at events across the US.

If you’ve read the book, post your reviews with us at Digital FEAT

This year’s National Depression Week will run from Wednesday 16th to Tuesday 22nd June