Generation depression: 1 in 3 British women have taken anti-depressants
Instead she fell into such a state of despair, she struggled to get out of bed in the morning, found herself constantly in tears and worst of all, she did not know where her sadness was coming from.
“It came completely out of the blue,” recalls Jade, now 19, from Scarborough, North Yorks. “There didn’t seem to be any reason for it – my home life was fine, school was really good and my social life was OK.
“But suddenly I was overtaken by this immense sadness. I didn’t want to eat, I slept for hours, I couldn’t go to school and I cried all the time.
“So I went to my GP, who put me on antidepressants. But to this day, I don’t think they helped.”
Jade took the drugs for a year before she was offered the counselling she so desperately needed.
“Talking to someone definitely made a difference, and since then I’ve been a lot better. But the waiting list to see a therapist on the NHS is so long, it’s shocking.
Disabled visitors to Alton Towers must now produce doctor's letter to gain ...
Rosie, 47, who suffers from diabetic neuropathy which led to her losing her right leg after an accident, said: “I took my nephew to Alton Towers last year and all that was needed was my Disability Living Allowance letter.
“But when I rang last week they insisted I produce a doctor’s letter explaining my condition.”
The admin officer, of Derby, added: “I’m angry. They told me to book an urgent doctor’s appointment but I think most GPs would find this unacceptable. Many also charge up to £50 for a letter.”
The park, in Alton, Staffs, visited by three million people a year, boasts in its disabled visitors’ guide: “Our policy has been updated to provide an even better service to those who need it.”
But Neil Coyle of campaign group Disability Alliance said: “Forcing people to get a doctor’s letter is not reasonable.
“The Mirror has exposed this when a third of disabled people are in poverty. Many will struggle to afford both a day out and a GP’s letter.”
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