Depression - a taboo subject

Madam, – I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to David Adams for his excellent piece on the taboo…

Madam, – I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to David Adams for his excellent piece on the taboo that is depression (Opinion and Analysis, November 19th). Mr Adams has done a great many people a real service by highlighting not only the true nature of depression, but also the fear on the part of sufferers to openly admit the difficulties they are experiencing. His comments in relation to the choice made by many sufferers to battle through rather than to survive in a semi-comatose state are particularly welcome. His piece was a welcome respite from the standard and often sterile anti-medication debate, which, to my view, does more harm than good to those who suffer and who, as Mr Adams has quite accurately pointed out, tend not to have a voice in relation to their difficulties. – Yours, etc,

NOEL TALLON,

Stillorgan, Co Dublin.