Depression and Suicide

Defining Depression An illness when the feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair persist and interfere with a child or adolescents ability to function

Warning Signs Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying Hopelessness Decreased interest in activities; inability to enjoy previously favorite activities Persistent boredom; low energy Social isolation, poor communication Low self-esteem and guilt Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure

More Warning Signs Increased irritability, anger, or hostility Difficulty with relationships Frequent complaints of physical illness such as headaches and stomachaches Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school Poor concentration Major change in eating and/or sleeping

Even More Warning Signs Talk of or efforts to run away from home Self-injury Alcohol and drug abuse

Drugs that Treat Depression Prozac Zoloft Paxil Luvox Celexa Lexapro Wellbutrin Effexor Serzone Remeron

Depression Statistics 5% of children and adolescents are depressed 18.8 million American adults suffer from clinical depression which is 9.5% of the adult population 35 million Americans suffer from depression severe enough to warrant treatment at some time in their lives In one given period, 13-14 million experience the illness

Professional Help Select a therapist Acupuncture Many types of therapies like behavioral and biomedical Holistic medicine Interpersonal Psychotherapy Psychoanalysis Relaxation Techniques Self-Help

Ways to Help Someone who is Depressed Listen Take care of little tasks like doing laundry Remember the depressed person is not being lazy Learn everything you can about depression Take it seriously if someone talks about suicide Make sure the person is keeping doctor appointments and taking their medication

Manic-Depression Alternating moods of abnormal highs (mania) and lows (depression). Called bipolar disease because of mood swings

Symptoms of Manic-Depression Hallucinations Most people with bipolar disorder can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and related symptoms with proper treatment

Suicide Facts Each year in the U.S. thousands of teenagers commit suicide Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year-olds and sixth leading cause of death for 5-14 year-olds.

Suicide Risk Factors Previous suicide attempts Close family member who has committed suicide Past psychiatric hospitalization Recent loss like a relative’s death or a family divorce Social isolation Drugs and alcohol abuse Exposure to violence in the home and the social environment Handguns in the home

What to do if you think someone is suicidal Trust your instincts that a person is in trouble Talk and listen to the person Ask questions without judgment Get professional help Do not leave the person alone Do not swear secrecy Do not act shocked Do not counsel the person yourself

Ways to Overcome Suicide Deep breathing Relaxation techniques Call a friend, try not to be alone Take a hot bath Listen to music Write in a journal Allow yourself to cry

Self-Injury The attempt to deliberately cause harm to one’s own body

Three Types of Self-Injury Major Self-mutilation like limb amputation Head banging, eyeball pressing, and biting Cutting, burning, hair-pulling, and bone breaking

Why People Self-Injure Lack of role models and invalidation Biological disposition Emotionally overwhelmed

People who are Likely to Self-Injure All people are capable of self-injury From early teens to early sixties Usually not a failed suicide attempt People who self-injure are not necessarily psychotic

Triggering Events for Self-Injury Being rejected by someone who is important to you Being blamed for something over which they had no control Feeling inadequate Being “wrong” in some way

Bipolar Disorder A serious brain disease that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and function

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Episodes of depression Episodes of mania Psychosis Mixed state - Episodes of depression and mania at the same time

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Characterized by 6 months or more of chronic, exaggerated worry and tension that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most people experience

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms Chronic fatigue Depression Irritability Lack of focus Sleep deprivation

What is stress? The emotional changes our bodies experience as we adjust to the changing environment

Positive Effects of Stress Can help compel us to action Can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective

Negative Effects of Stress Can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression Can lead to health problems like headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke

The best ways to manage stress Become aware of your stressors and your emotional/physical reactions Recognize what you can change Reduce the intensity of you emotional reaction to stress Maintain emotional and physical reactions