If a friend or family member is ill they get sympathy but not if they are clinically depressed Why i

I have suffered from clinical depression for about six years or so. This was triggered by being ordered ,literally under pain of death ,to give up my part-time consultancy work.together with the unexpected death from cancer of my two older brothers All of that occuredin the space of about five months.

With a mixture of psychiatric support,family support, medication, and regular exercise I now have periods of good times but also bad times.

I read Psychology for my degree and have a reasonable understanding of what is going on. But it doesn't stop me being ill.

Forty years ago when I was studying , the model of the brain cell was the simplistic idea of a chemical cell activated by electrical impulses. Modern research suggests that the cell is more like a mini computer which is part of a gigantic network.

Are the depressed the new underclass. Should we ask or demand more publicity. Should we ask the NHS to address the problem with education to raise awareness of employers and public

Absolutely - I have been ill for 3 years, but I never see friends or family anymore.

I am more disappointed with my family. I have a younger brother who has been mentally disabled from birth and we have all always understood his needs and limitations.

I was the bright one in the family doing extremely well until I became ill and no one visits or contacts me now. In the very rare phone calls - the alwas say oh are you still ill.