Letter: Hope over depression

From Nigel Sinnott

I was profoundly moved yesterday when I first read Peter Farley’s “The anatomy of despair” (1 May, p 43). I have suffered from major depression since 1962 for certain, and very likely since 1952. It has wrecked my life, but by some fluke I am still alive at the age of 60. I have never been impressed with existing theories on the aetiology of depression, and I hoped I might at least live long enough to know how this mood disorder really starts and works.

Peter Farley’s account is plausible – and very elegant: it accounts for almost all of what I know about depression, but without unnecessary elaboration. In other words, it complies with Occam’s razor.

I have one grouse. You say “even physical exercise – known to improve depressive symptoms in humans – could induce neurogensis”. Physical exercise does give some people partial relief from depression – I do not argue with that – but in my case physical exercise almost invariably makes depression worse, sometimes much worse, by increasing suicidal ideation. In fact, if I enjoy exercise, or feel in need of exercise, this is a very reliable sign that my depression is already deep.

In spite of my criticism, I hope this article will be widely circulated and publicised, particularly to mental health professionals and to depressed people and their families.

Sunshine West, Victoria, Australia