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SANDRA
TELLS HER STORY
DEPRESSION
has cast a dark pall over Sandra Annetts' life
for more than two decades.
It
began in 1986, when her son James died while working
on a property in Western Australia.
She
admits the grief and the ongoing legl fight to
uncover how he died had left irreparable scars
on her psyche. "I've had anxiety and panic
attacks and ben in and out of hospital,"
she said.
"For
a long time there, I didn't care if I lived or
died. I couldn't stop the horrible thoughts in
my head and I ended up withdrawing completely
and locking myself away."
But,
through medication, a strong network of friends
and the love of her family, Sandra has been slowly
rediscovering herself. "I think the anti-depressants
have saved my life," she said. "That's
why I get so angry when people say they'd never
take anti-depressants. Until you've had depression,
you could never imagine what it's like and how
much it changes your life. There's no shame in
taking them. I would urge anyone who feels they
may be depressed to see a doctor."
She
said while perceptions towards mental illness
were changing, for many it was still shrouded
in secrecy.
"It's
an illness like any physical illness and people
should never be ashamed," she said. "People
worry what others might think but if we all think
like that nothing will change. It's time we brought
it out into the open."
Sandra
said simply talking about her problems had been
a big part of her treatment. She has become close
friends with Griffith Suicide Awareness president
Val Rowe and sits on the committee of the charity.
To
read Sandra's story, please click
here.
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