Giles Andreae 'could not write because of depression'

A bestselling children's author has spoken of how depression left him unable to write for months.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Giles Andreae explained that he went from being a happy 43-year-old family man to a 'weeping, panic-stricken wreck' in a short space of time and was left unable to pick up his pen.

The author, whose works include Giraffes Can't Dance and The Lion Who Wanted to Love, said the development of his depression came suddenly and he was quickly placed on a range of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs.

He also feared that his writing career was over and imagined that he would eventually find himself working in the local cheese shop, until he started to regain a sense of control over his life after four months of treatment.

Andreae managed to start writing again and believes his experience of depression has made him a stronger author, adding: 'I am quite sure that this has made my writing richer and more textured. I hope that it will do the same for the way I live my life too.'

In January, Watermelon writer Marian Keyes posted a message on her website which explained she is seeking relief from 'crippling depression' by reading authors such as Elizabeth Wurtzel, Raymond Carver and Truman Capote.