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E-mailDR CORRY claims in his letter (News, 13 September) that depression is never a chemical imbalance. It is bad science and dehumanising to say so, he states. Dr Corry, I am not dehumanised because of my condition. And I am a scientist. If it is all in the emotions as Dr Corry claims, how does he then explain Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) a very common condition in Ireland and a disorder I have had. Or endogenous depression, which appears for seemingly no apparent reason. Despite what he claims, there are a lot of people in this category who do need antidepressants. Not to mention people who are bipolar. They need medication too. This generalisation about anti-depressants having no role at all is a fallacy. Sorry Dr Corry, most Irish psychiatrists actually don't agree with you.
Martina Kealy,
Scientist and Medical Librarian. (by email)
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I am a 66 year old man who has suffered from depression since I was a teenager. I had some treatment in my early twenties, without my feeling any better. I have tried all sorts of "alternative treatments" with little effect. Finally, at age 49, I sought psychiatric help. What a difference that made! After 10 days on antidepressants, I felt like a completely different person, with more self confidence and able to enjoy life for the first time in all those years.
I do not say that antidepressants are the only treatment, but for some people they are essential.