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What do Sylvia Plath, Winston Churchill, Edgar Allan Poe and Robbie Williams have in common? They may have come from different walks of life and had different talents, but they were all suffering from depression.
Any illness is a terrible thing. But perhaps the most dreadful illness of all is silent, unnoticeable depression. It has long been a subject of debate whether or not depression could actually be truly classified as an illness, but I intend to show you not only is it an illness affecting an individual, but also their family, friends and the general community.

Depression affects the chemicals in the brain- the little-understood but dramatically powerful organ. Sufferers feel apathetic, withdrawn and overwhelmed over a long period of time. Changes in appetite are also usual. In extreme cases, depression can cause thoughts of suicide.
People with depression are usually advised to consult professionals. However, unlike many physical ailments, depression is not simply diagnosed and cured. Therapists often prescribe medication, but this is slow to take effect and sometimes fails to work completely. New research suggests that there are, in fact, many different strands of depression. Finding the right medication is often a very long and difficult process for everyone involved. As well, most anti-depressants are very powerful drugs with a variety of side effects from an itchy rash and mild insomnia to manic episodes and convulsions.
As you can see, depression is a long-term problem. But why is it so seldom discussed? An ordinary, physical disease like skin cancer manifests itself in a visible form on a sufferer's body. This is comparable to open warfare. While it is unpleasant, you can seek safety in that the enemy is plain to see and you can see the severity of your opposition. Depression isn't like this. You can't see it. Like the more ominous guerrilla warfare, the disease- the enemy- is in hiding. Is it there? How bad is it? We can only guess.
Depression is dangerous. It doesn't alter a sufferer's body. It attacks their mind. In biological terms, their neurotransmitters fail to function properly and so the release of serotonin- the "happy" hormone - is impeded. Depressed people have likened this to a thick, grey blanket descending over their life like the hidden enemy in the trees- cutting them off from happiness and suffocating them in sorrow. They lose their sense of fun and satisfaction in everything. Families too are often pulled into this dark abyss. They

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