ADP testimonial - Judie Fairweather, Deputy Team Manager, CHTT

"The first thing I realise as a clinician when looking at self-management for depression is that the very nature of depression can make self-management difficult.

"My approach in the past has always been one where I am the expert and I problem-solve with the service user and assist them in trying to find solutions to their difficulties. I felt it was more like I directed the service user how to solve their problems from my perspective.

"Since commencing the Advanced Development Programme I have come to realise that I was actually disabling service users; they never learned to recognise their symptoms or develop any self-awareness or confidence to effectively manage their illness. The service users are the ones who have to live with the condition and know best what works for them.

"My new skills enable me to develop a collaborative partnership which empowers the service user to develop skills to manage better on a day-to-day basis with their long-term illness.

"The skill that stands out in my mind which I applied with greatest success is ‘setting the agenda’. This has been revolutionary in that it helps to frame the sessions and from this most service users were able to follow problems they were facing in a logical way, without jumping from one subject to another.

"To say that all my service users are now cured would be untrue but the patients reporting improved mood and increased activity (which they haven’t felt for several years) has increased. These are service uers who have been revolving through the system for years.  

"I have received two letters from service users I have worked with over the past few months which I will share:

“Thanks so much for such a practical program that gave me hope right away. I used to think I was doomed to be a depressed person for the rest of my life; I thought I was genetically predetermined to suffer with it until I died. Your program taught me that, that was not the truth. Most of depression is learned helplessness. I also learned that maintaining depressed thoughts is exhausting. I have learned so much from your program.” 

“I am coming to the end of a two year bout of pretty severe depression. At my worst I could barely move off the sofa, though I found the energy to attempt suicide twice. It’s been a long and difficult time. I’m feeling a lot better now since working with you and I have started a new job, its part time to ease me gently back into working for a living. Thank you for all your help and choosing work with me, as it has helped me to begin changing my life.”

Judith Fairweather , Deputy Team Manager, Wandsworth Crisis and Home Treatment Team