The Wellbeing Foundation

Front Page

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Physical Disability

Sexual Abuse

Bullying

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First Aid

Resources

Therapies

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Depression

An Emotion, not a Disease

By Dr Michael Corry and Dr Aine Tubridy, Mercier Press, October 2005. E14.99 (stg10.65).

A hard-hitting book that presents a revolutionary new perspective. Corry and Tubridy assert that depression is an emotion, just like fear, anger, or love, which can be consciously influenced, rather than a disease which can only be suffered. This approach promises an end to the cycle of relapse, medication, and possible hospitalisation for sufferers of depression. It puts the sufferer back at the centre of a more individual and tailored approach to healing, and it raises crucial questions about the medical community's focus on medication as primary treatment. Just published (October 2005), the book is available at all good bookshops and from http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1856354792/qid=1128682766/026-9423684-4399666

Beyond Prozac By Dr Terry Lynch. Marino Books, 2001. ISBN 1 86023 136 5. E14.95. Lynch has written a stunning expose of the medical approach to emotional problems such as depression, and the uncontrolled use of medication such as SSRIs to treat them. A shocking condemnation of current practice, and a valuable resource for sufferers and their families.

Going Mad?
By Dr Aine Tubridy and Dr Michael Corry. New Leaf, 2003. E14.50. If you've ever asked yourself the title question, this book is for you. It explores different states of mind by presenting cases based on actual experience of different problems, from panic through depression and on, with a panel of therapists of different backgrounds offering their conclusions on each. Illuminating and enlightening. REVIEW>>

When Panic Attacks
By Dr Aine Tubridy. Gill & Macmillan, 2003. E18.99. Panic attacks are one of the most common conditions, far moreso than people realise. They can be terrifying, but are actually one of the easiest problems to control. If you think you've ever had one, read this book. REVIEW>>

Medicines Out Of Control?
By Charles Medawar and Anita Hardon, (Amsterdam: Aksant Academic Publishers, 2004). ISBN 90 5260 134 8. Paperback, 260 pages. E27.50. Medicines out of Control? draws on the SSRI antidepressant case history to describe a system of medicines control tainted by secrecy and conflicts of interest, barely accountable to the public, lacking in common sense and losing sight of the meaning of health. Subtitled Antidepressants and the Conspiracy of Goodwill, this book reveals a demonstrably chaotic system of drug evaluation, driven by the almost unquestioned assumption that health is the product of greater 'disease awareness' and more new drugs.

Websites

Suicide

www.samaritans.org The best immediate, emergency help if you feel suicidal is the Samaritans. You can talk to a Samaritan: call 1850 609090 in Republic of Ireland; 08457 909090 in Northern Ireland or Britain. You can e-mail: jo@samaritans.org Or you can write, or visit a branch: check for your local branch on www.samaritans.org
http://www.elizabethtorlakson.org/ Elizabeth Torlakson, 21-year-old daughter of artist James Torlakson, killed herself as aresult of taking the SSRI citalopram (Cipramil in Ireland/UK, Celexa in US). This site is his anti-SSRI site, the Elizabeth Torlakson Foundation
www.woodymatters.com A beautiful memorial and informational site developed by Kim Witczak, who lost her husband Woody to an SSRI-induced suicide. Here you will find research on and knowledge about these drugs all in one place. Kim says that no one should have to experience what her friends and family did. Be smart. Be informed .

Depression

www.grow.ieGROW is an alliance of people who suffer or who have suffered from 'mental illness'. Local groups provide a welcoming and helpful environment which supports the process of regaining wellness
www.theblackdog.netAimed specifically at men, this Irish site provides much useful information on psychological health, with chatroom and discussion groups
www.thomasjmoore.com/pages/depress.shtml Moore is a health and public services journalist with a particular interest in depression and its treatment.
www.sane.org.uk
www.leela.ieActive programme to help those with depression, based in Co Wicklow, Ireland. Year-long course includes several weekend residential seminars.
www.samaritans.orgThe primary emergency service for anyone who is suicidal. See Suicide above for phone numbers, or e-mail jo@samaritans.org for help.

Panic and Anxiety
www.panicattacks.com.au Useful Australian site
www.adaa.orgOnline home of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America

Sexual abuse

www.paddydoyle.comTopics covered on this site include:child sexual abuse, addiction to legal drugs, marijuana as medicine, dystonia, disability, and drug side effects. Excellent resource, provided by Paddy himself
www.drcc.ieDublin Rape Crisis Centre site. Provides contact details, help and resources for victims of rape and other sex crimes. Lists contact details for centres around Ireland at www.drcc.ie/contact/irish_centres.html
http://robbiedempsey.blogspirit.comLists associations of survivors of abuse, state contact points, relevant ministers and politicians. A comprehensive blog written and maintained by institutional abuse survivor Robbie Dempsey

Critical medical sites
www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/ Critical perspective on health; wealth of information and links. Author Sepp Hasslberger watches many areas of experience with an analytical, critical eye.

SSRIs & other antidepressants: links & articles

http://www.drugawareness.org/home.html
Physicians, journalists, researchers and concerned citizens bring together a wealth of information on SSRIs and other drugs
http://justiceseekers.com/index.cfm?menuitemid=199 Trial lawyer who won case against GlaxoSmithKline in which Seroxat (Paxil) was found to have "caused" murder and suicide explains how the drugs do cause these violent events (video)
www.prozacbacklash.com Important site for those having problems with antidepressants, and who want to come off them
www.thomasjmoore.com/pages/depress.shtml Moore is a health and public services journalist with a particular interest in depression and its treatment

See full list in second section of our 'Newslinks' page in the Drug Stories section GO>>

Substance Abuse
www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie
www.nairleast.org/index.htmlNarcotics Anonymous Ireland
www.ukna.orgNarcotics Anonymous Britain
www.addaction.org.ukAction on addiction, Britain

Bullying

www.abc.tcd.ieThe Anti-Bullying Centre at Trinity College Dublin. An excellent resource for victims of bullying, and the centre provides guidance and counselling
www.bullyonline.orgTim Field runs this, the website of the UK National Workplace Bullying Advice Line, and another excellent resource covering all forms of bullying and what to do about it

Self-Harm
www.nshn.co.ukBritish National Self Harm Network

Self Help

www.radiantrecovery.comDiet, nutrition and mood
www.antidepressantsfacts.comComprehensive directory on antidepressants, side effects, papers, articles, books, and doctors
www.antidepressantfacts.com Similarly-named site, but with more content in favour of some drug use. Provides information on alternative treaments for many conditions
www.hypericum.comIs St John's Wort suitable for you?

Miscellaneous sites

www.woodymatters.com A beautiful memorial and informational site developed by Kim Witczak, who lost her husband Woody to an SSRI-induced suicide. Here you will find research on and knowledge about these drugs all in one place. Kim says that no one should have to experience what our friends and family did. Be smart. Be informed
www.paddydoyle.comTopics covered on this site include:child abuse, addiction to legal drugs, marijuana as medicine, dystonia, disability, and drug side effects. Excellent resource, provided by Paddy himself

We welcome suggestions from readers for more useful links. Contact editor@depressiondialogues.ie