I THINK it is great that depression is no longer a taboo topic and has become acceptable, but has it become too acceptable?

I have had to convince the doctor a few times that I am not depressed and that there was something else wrong with me.

Turns out that I was not depressed - rather I had glandular fever, which is why I was experiencing such symptoms.

However, this was not discovered until six months later, through a routine blood test.

I had suffered three months of illness and all my doctor could focus on was the fact that she thought I was depressed.

I guess you can't blame her as a lot of young women are depressed.

Sixty per cent of my girl friends are medicated for depression.

But are they truly clinically depressed? I highly doubt it.

What happened to counselling and psychology?

My doctor offered me medication, but never once mentioned these options; not that I was even depressed to begin with.

Mental Health Week should highlight all the options available to people who are not feeling well, let them know there are alternate therapies and reasons for their feelings.

Medication is often no more than a Band Aid used to mask underlying issues.

Name and address, withheld