Please don't hold back from starting a discussion, sharing an insight or asking a question. My name is Eleanor, and I am here to answer questions about the website and pass on any comments to Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrrell, who wanted lift-depression.com to provide good quality information on depression and advice for those who currently suffer from depression.

I happened to hear on the radio this lunchtime (I think it was BBC Radio 2) two different viewpoints on the current economic situation in the UK, one from a 'positive' and one from a 'negative' view.

Each 'expert' was given a minute to put forward his case and it really struck me, as I was sitting in the car listening, how much my emotions were manipulated by the perspectives in that short amount of time. When the 'positive' expert was talking about the recent events as a temporary, corrective blip in the economy and the benefits of having to work together and be more conscious of how we spend our money, I felt calm, confident and ready to pull through whatever situation might occur. When the 'negative' expert had his turn, spouting on about the hopelessness of our countries situation, I could really feel the feelings of panic and helplessness rising in my chest. Despite feeling perfectly happy a minute earlier, I noticed myself now desperately worrying if I was going to survive through this economic downturn and feeling very uncomfortable.

It really brought home to me just how powerful emotions can manifest very fast and instantly turn off the 'observing self' and distort logical thinking.

Hope to hear from some of you who have registered here.

Eleanor