Depression and manic depression

Lithium is used as a treatment for manic depression and works by controlling the major mood swings. Like all medication, lithium has side effects, the severity of which varies from person to person. People going on a course of lithium treatment should have kidney and thyroid function tests since water and salt balance are affected by the medication. During the course of the treatment, you will also need regular blood tests to check that the lithium level in the blood does not rise too high.

Help is always at hand

Don't try to cope with depression on your own. There is always help. You can turn to friends and family but, if you need other advice, your GP is a very good place to start. A GP can help you find the right type of treatment, referring you to a psychiatrist or community mental health centre, if necessary. The surgery will also hold a range of leaflets and information about local services.

Your local Community mental health centre will also offer a range of treatments once you have been referred by your GP. Most centres will carry out an initial assessment to identify your needs and highlight possible steps for managing depression.

Support from your family/carers

People with depressive illness can make those around them, particularly their family, feel depressed too. Dealing with mania can be even more frustrating and may also involve you in considerable difficulties. There are several things that can be done to help:

• Try to understand the condition
• Discuss the illness with the sufferer.
• Be affectionate and tolerant. There is enough self-blame and criticism in depressive illness without anyone adding to it.
• Reassure the sufferer. One of the major problems in depressive illness is the feeling of hopelessness.
• Cooperate with the treatment plan. If you have criticisms of it, discuss them with the doctor, not the patient.
• Summon professional help if the situation deteriorates.
• Consider joining a carers' support group in your area (Contact SANELINE for details of your local group).

For more information about depression visit www.sane.org.uk

For further help contact SANELINE www.sane.org.uk