Is depression more likely at certain important periods of life, such as adolescence and retirement?
Name and address withheld Yes. Adolescence is an appallingly stressful time. The problem with depression in adolescence is to sort out those adolescents who are only reacting badly, but not in an uncommon way, to the problems adolescence brings from those in whom the depressive state is the first sign of bipolar disease, schizophreniform behaviour or true clinical depression. Any young person who suffers from depressive troubles is exceptionally foolhardy to take cannabis. Retirement involves not only a change in lifestyle but also in self assessment. The retired cease to be able to understand their immediate use to the community and for those who have been brought up with the work ethos this can be devastating. Their status in the community, the family and in their own minds takes a beating once they haven’t a working role. They may also have to re-orientate their approach to their husbands or wives. If the wife has been at home all day the regular and constant presence of a husband m
