Unwanted highs and lows blighted my life
HEALTH
by HELEN MEAD
'It doesn't come on gradually - it just arrives and you don't know what has hit you.' Daniel Lundy
is describing how he came to be diagnosed with manic depression, which changed him from a happy-go-lucky
carpenter to a man who went from highs to terrible lows, causing huge mood swings that he felt unable
to control. Daniel had split up from his wife, which understandably had a negative effect upon him.
But a car accident caused him to plunge into depression. He was driving home from work when he was
forced to swerve into the side of the road to avoid another vehicle. He hit a parked car and,
despite his seat belt, his head smashed through the windscreen. The car's steering column hit him
with such force that it damaged an artery in his heart, leaving Daniel fighting for his life in the
cardiac unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary The accident also crushed a vertebrae in his neck,
leaving him in severe pain.
When he left hospital weeks later he was still in pain and, living alone, he struggled to get
through each day And he found that no longer did he get out of bed full of beans and get on with
the day as he had always done. He recalls:
'I sort of gave up. Depression had a hold on me.' The accident also left Daniel, 57, who lives
in Cottingley with chronic arthritis, forcing him to give up his job. Everybody experiences ups and
downs in their daily lives, but in manic depression these changes are extreme. Daniel describes the
extreme highs which typify the condition and which are accompanied by excitement and over-enthusiasm
For whatever you are involved with. 'You set big highs, especially if you are accomplished at
something. Then you come aack down to earth and you can get pret-y low.' During highs, sufferers
can stay ip all night without feeling tired and eat very little.
Treatment for Daniel's depression has included medication, psychiatric help my occupational therapy
The latter worked wonders and through it Daniel, who has a grown-up daughter and young grand-daughter,
was able to explore his talent as an artist.
He began painting regularly and found it therapeutic. Since taking up the brush and palette he has
developed his skills to such an extent that he has exhibited at venues across Bradford including
Cartwright Hall, Shipley Library and Waterstones bookshop.In the early days after diagnosis, Daniel
attended support groups but now he finds help, advice and guidance in the form of a close female
friend, Wendy who he met through art.
'We were in Shipley Library looking at an exhibition,' he says. 'We went for a cup of coffee and a
chat and from then on we were friends. She has been a great help and is good at managing me,' he
laughs. 'Wendy has inspired me - we are very close.'
Daniel, who used to be a professional singer, keyboard and guitar player in clubs across the
district, finds professional counselling helpful. 'I find that the more you know about the condition
the more you can handle it and keep it under control,' he says.
He also writes poetry and, with Wendy's encouragement, has begun playing the guitar again. He is
hoping to record a CD later this year.
Daniel, who has helped other sufferers in his work as a volunteer with the Bradford branch of the
mental health charity Mind, still takes medication but is gradually coming off it. He says the best
way to overcome depression and negative thoughts is to keep busy and interested in things.
Daniel feels 'really well' now and -despite a setback after a gall-bladder and hernia operation
three years ago - feels he has gone through the worst. 'I feel a lot better than I have done for ages.
Thanks to Wendy I'm more organised in my life and feel a lot better.'
T & A 27th April 2004