David Walliams on depression

BBC Radio 4 carries a long running program called Desert Islands Discs. The program invites the guest to take away their favourite recordings to an imaginary desert island.

Comedian David Walliams recently featured on the show and as well as talking about the music he spoke candidly about is struggles with depression and self esteem.

The depression has been a feature of his life since childhood and comedy was one way of attempting to deal with it. Perhaps what is even more interesting is that in spite of sometimes severe depression he has been spectacularly successful in his career with the hit show Little Britain which also stars Matt Lucas.

Depression and its compatibility with the workplace is a hot topic at the moment with TV adverts in the UK reminding viewers that nursing legend Florence Nightingale suffered with depression; and still made huge changes to the practice of nursing.

Although depression may be compatible with a sucessful career it seems that many employers would prefer not to take the risk. On the Desert Island Discs show Walliams was asked what luxury item he would take with him, he replied he would take a gun to shoot himself in case he got too lonely. Perhaps it's easy to understand why employers are reluctant to take the chance when each job opening has so many applicants; but that still does not necessarily make it the right decision.