Download What is Depression?

Depression
Warm-up:
Think of a time when an event in your
life caused you sadness. What was
the event? What did you do to cope
with the event? Does this event still
cause you sadness, why or why not?
Review

The reaction of the body & mind to everyday
challenges and demands?
 Anything that causes stress?
 The General Adaption Syndrome consists of
three stages: alarm, resistance, &
___________.
 A physical reaction that results from stress
rather than from an injury or illness?
 Stress associate with long-term problems that
are beyond a person’s control?
What is Depression?
“Depression is a mental illness, a
health condition that changes a
person’s thinking, feelings, or
behavior and that causes the person
distress and difficulty in
functioning.”
National Institute of Mental Health 2007
How is Depression Different
From Regular Sadness?
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Normal stressors can lead anyone to feel sad
once in a while, but are usually brief and go
away.
Depression is more than occasionally feeling
blue, sad or down in the dumps.
Depression is a strong mood involving sadness,
discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that
last for weeks, months, or even longer.
It interferes with a person’s ability to participate in
normal activities.
Depression is Common
 This
study found the following groups to
be more likely to meet criteria for major
depression:
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persons 45-64 years of age
women
blacks, Hispanics, non-Hispanic persons of other races or
multiple races
persons with less than a high school education
those previously married
individuals unable to work or unemployed
persons without health insurance coverage
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Source: CDC
What Causes Depression?
 There
is no single cause of depression.
 Factors that play a role in depression:
 Genetics:
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Depression runs in families. They are a factor
but not single cause.
 Life

Events:
Death of family member, friend, pet, divorce,
moving, etc. can trigger depression.
 Family
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and Social Environment:
A negative, stressful, or unhappy family
atmosphere can affect self-esteem and lead to
depression.
What Causes Depression cont.
 Medical
Conditions:
Certain medical conditions can affect hormone
imbalance and therefore have an effect on
mood.
 Hypothyroidism

 Chemical
imbalance:
What Happens in the Brain?
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Depression involves the
brain’s delicate brain
chemistry neurotransmitters.
They help regulate mood,
and if they run low, people
can become depressed,
anxious and stressed.
Medications that doctors
use to treat depression work
by helping to restore the
proper balance of
neurotransmitters.
Healthy
Depression
Types of Depression
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Major Depression – severe and short-lasting, with
more than five symptoms.
Minor Depression – 2-4 symptoms of depression.
Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood.
 Depressive reaction to a specific life event that
takes longer than normal to adjust.
Bipolar disorder – periods of major depression
mixed with episodes of abnormally elevated
energy levels.
Types of Depression
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Psychotic depression: which occurs when a person
has severe depression plus some form of
psychosis…
Postpartum depression: which is much more
serious than the "baby blues" that many women
experience after giving birth…
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): which is
characterized by the onset of depression during the
winter months, when there is less natural sunlight.
WAKE UP
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
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Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making
decisions
Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating, or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that
do not ease even with treatment.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health
Symptoms of Depression
 When
someone has 5 or more
symptoms most of the time for 2 weeks
or longer, that person is probably
depressed.
 Other warning signs that someone
might have unrecognized depression:
 Lack
of interest, poor motivation, poor
concentration.
 Eating disorders or cutting
Treatment Options
•
Medication
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Antidepressants
Can take a few weeks
before the medicine
works.
Individual Therapy
Family Therapy
Lifestyle changes
Barriers to Treatment

Stigma-Social disapproval of personal
characteristics, beliefs and actions making it
more difficult to recognize and seek medical
help for mental illness.
 Shame-A painful emotional feeling about
oneself that can harm an individual’s self
respect and pride.
 Cost of Treatment-The money spent for
treatment, including doctor appointments,
therapy and medications.
Ways to help

To help your friend or relative
 Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and
encouragement.
 Talk to him or her, and listen carefully.
 Never dismiss feelings, but point out realities and offer hope.
 Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to
your loved one's therapist or doctor.
 Invite your loved one out for walks, outings and other
activities. Keep trying if he or she declines, but don't push
him or her to take on too much too soon.
 Provide assistance in getting to the doctor's appointments.
 Remind your loved one that with time and treatment, the
depression will lift.