Blue notes
When you're down, drink and drugs offer an easy way out. But the bill for escapism always arrives the next day, says Nick Johnstone.
‘I was fine one day, the next completely crippled’
In 1996, Derek Draper was a New Labour high flyer when he was struck down by depression. Now a trained therapist, he says the illness is much more widespread than we realise.
A time for treatment
Leader: The biggest challenge facing the mentally ill is the lack of access to urgently needed treatment.
Doctor’s notes
A row has broken out over a new, cheaper version of a schizophrenia drug. But why, if it saves the NHS money?
Nip and tuck and nip again
Hope Donahue was a beautiful, wealthy teenager, fixated by her appearance. By 23, she was a veteran of cosmetic surgery. Perfect nose, lips, cheeks seemed to spell happiness. She tells how she finally realised she had to escape the scalpel.
Mental illness and families. Don’t blame the messenger
Stephen Pritchard:Parents coping with the distress of schizophrenia in their children have been caused further pain, a well-organised campaign would have us believe, by a series of articles in The Observer Magazine.
Linford Rees
Psychiatrist who contributed to the development of effective drug therapy.
Trapped in gender limbo
Fifteen years ago, Paul Rowe felt driven to physically change gender after a series of personal traumas. But, as he tells David Batty, his hopes of a happier life have not come true.
Q&A: transsexualism
There are around 2,000 transsexuals in the UK. David Batty explains what a gender change involves and what rules govern treatment.