Room 5

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One afternoon, Helena Merriman walked into a doctor's surgery and was given a shock diagnosis. In Room 5, she interviews people who - like her - were changed by a diagnosis.

What happens when a diagnosis changes everything? One afternoon, Helena Merriman walked into a doctor's surgery and was given a shock diagnosis. In this series, she interviews people who – like her-were changed by a diagnosis. Told through an immersive sound design, this intimate series shines a light on misunderstood conditions, asking how we cope when our bodies and our minds no longer behave as we want them to.

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Room 5: Series 2: 7. Ruth

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7. Ruth

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Room 5, Series 2, 7. Ruth

On taking psychedelics to treat depression

On taking psychedelics to treat depression. 

Ruth‘s lying on a hospital bed. There’s calm music, she’s wearing an eye-mask and in her hand - a single white pill. It contains an illegal chemical which some doctors are convinced could revolutionise the way we treat depression. Ruth’s struggled with depression since she was a child. She’s tried everything - and for her, this is her last chance. Ruth swallows the pill, the chemicals flow into her bloodstream and then - her psychedelic trip begins.
 
In Room 5, Helena Merriman shares stories of real-life medical mysteries, interviewing people who - like her - were changed by a diagnosis. 
 
Written, presented and produced by Helena Merriman
Composer: Jeremy Warmsley 
Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
 
Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples 
Researcher: Drew Hyndman 
Editor: Emma Rippon 
 
#Room5
 
End song: Miffed by Tom Rosenthal

Room 5: Series 2

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More stories where a diagnosis changes everything.

One afternoon, Helena Merriman walked into a doctor's surgery and was given a shock diagnosis. Here, she interviews more people who - like her - were changed by a diagnosis.

What happens when a diagnosis changes everything? One afternoon, Helena Merriman walked int o a doctor's surgery and was given a shock diagnosis. In this second series, she interviews more people who - like her - were changed by a diagnosis. Told through an immersive sound design, this intimate series continues to shine a light on misunderstood conditions, asking how we cope when our bodies and our minds no longer behave as we want them to.

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7. Ruth

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