{"experience_type": "Current Experience", "emotion_type": "depression", "problem_type": "ongoing depression", "situation": "I have suffered from depression for twenty years and despair of every getting any better.", "survey_score": {"seeker": {"initial_emotion_intensity": "4", "empathy": "5", "relevance": "5", "final_emotion_intensity": "2"}, "supporter": {"relevance": "5"}}, "dialog": [{"text": "Hi there, I am desperate to get some help for my ongoing depression, is there anything that you can do?", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Hello, I am certainly gonna try to help! What triggered the depression tonight? \\", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Question"}, {"text": "Well, it's not really any worse tonight than it has been for years. I just don't know how to get out of it and I suspect that I might never be able to.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Not that I'm typically a fan of this, but there are certain justifications and it has its place. Have you sought professional help?", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Question"}, {"text": "I have been prescribed some medication by my GP but I cannot really afford professional counselling.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "There are a lot of programs in place to assist those who're in need of psychiatric evaluation and treatment but dont have the financial means to pursue it.", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Affirmation and Reassurance"}, {"text": "I am sorry for the delay, I had a personal emergency. What sort of things are you talking about?", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Do you live in the US>?", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Question"}, {"text": "No, I am British. There are limited resources available here but not many and there's a waiting list.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Have you placed your name on the lists?", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Question"}, {"text": "The trouble is also that I have tried a variety of medications and none has really been all that helpful.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Yes, I am on some waiting lists but I do not know how long it might take to get to the top of them.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Medication isn't always the best solution. I speak from personal experience. Also, its better to be inching up a list than reluctant to be on it at all.", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Affirmation and Reassurance"}, {"text": "Why do you say that medication is not the best idea? I am aware that it is not a panacea but it can help to take the edge off, as it were.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "It absolutely can take that edge off, but often so can many other things, like painting, writing, talking to a friend or a stranger even. I don't mean to suggest you stop any medication without medical advising. I simply mean to say that there are advantageous methods of therapy that dont involve a pill.", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Affirmation and Reassurance"}, {"text": "I think that there are some conditions where medication is necessary but I do take your point that there are other things that we can do to alleviate symptom. Maybe it is best to do these things in tandem?", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "You're absolutely right that sometimes there is a need for medication. My mother suffers from depression as do I. She has to take Effexor everyday for her condition. I, however went through COUNTLESS combinations and never found a relief as helpful as when I write and talk to people.", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Affirmation and Reassurance"}, {"text": "I also went through a lot of different combinations before ending on on Prozac. I think that different things work for different people. I do not find it very easy to talk to people.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Have you explored other theraputic avenues to synchronize with the medication?", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Question"}, {"text": "No, I am rather way of 'natural' or homeopathic medicine. Are there any kinds that you could recommend?", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "You're doing VERY well talking to me! Had you not said anything, I would have assumed that to be the best choice! But if you're an introvert, then my first suggestion is to journal.", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Affirmation and Reassurance"}, {"text": "I do do a lot of that but I would feel too shy to show anyone my journal. Your help has been invaluable though and I do feel more receptive to other forms of treatment now.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "That way you can reflect on what you've written and possibly learn patterns, triggers, moodswings and other information that would help the problem.", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Question"}, {"text": "Journaling is for YOU. No one else has to ever see it if you don't want them too. Glad I can help.", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Affirmation and Reassurance"}, {"text": "I often do go over things that I've rewritten but there can be long periods where I just feel that I have nothing to say. Thank you so much for your help though, I do feel a lot better! I hope to see you again soon.", "speaker": "usr"}, {"text": "Anytime", "speaker": "sys", "strategy": "Affirmation and Reassurance"}], "seeker_question1": "", "seeker_question2": "", "supporter_question1": "", "supporter_question2": ""}