I have suffered with depression on and off for the last 16 years, I had postnatal depression after both my children were born, and with the second I even had antenatal depression too, lucky old me! It’s not something I really talk about, mostly because I worry that I’ll bore people. Recently friends have commented on how happy my photos look and it’s made me realise that I’m using my photography as a kind of medication.

When I was at university I dyed my hair bright purple and it changed how people treated me, everyone seemed to assume that I must be über-confident and treated me as such. This was a real eye-opener because I had no self confidence or self belief but being treated as though I did made me feel more confident. It’s the same thing I do with my photos, I capture the happy moments, the times when the kids are getting on, when the house is tidy and the light is great so when I look back at my pictures it reminds me that life really is good and it boosts my mood.

I’m lucky my husband is incredibly supportive and our dr is a lovely chap who isn’t pushy about anti-depressants; having been on them before I want to look into alternatives before I go back on medication. Instead I’m upping my daily exercise levels, cleaning up my diet, looking to find the positive in life and trying to get some counselling through the NHS (easier said than done!). Postnatal depression is a horrible illness but one that can be beaten given time and help.

What methods have you used to cope with depression?