Author(s): Milissa Deitz

Depression, Anxiety & Stress

My Life as a Side Effect is a loose diary of Milissa's depression and the journey to conquering and managing it, through drugs (prescribed and social), therapy, self-harm, relationship breakdowns, paranoia, anxiety, suicide attempts, understanding (from herself and others), love and maturity.Along the journey Milissa displays anger, despair and quite a bit of humour. Best of all it has a happy ending. Milissa is currently full time employed, medication- free and in a happy and lasting relationship. Her story takes place in NY, Sydney and Newcastle. My Life as a Side Effect includes interviews with people who suffer and struggle to manage depression. They range in age, manifestations of the illness, and techniques and uses of drugs, therapies and pure willpower to manage it. Some of the testimonies are shocking, some show pure grit and others are inspiring. My Life as a Side Effect includes interviews with medical professionals and practitioners. SANE Australia and Mental Illness Education Australia (MIEA) contribute fact sheets, information, and strategies for dealing with depression and stress on a daily basis.