1. Who suffers from Depression?
Depression can effect anyone but there is a significantly higher rate of depression among women than men.
17 million Americans develop depression each year.
8.6% of adults over 18 have a mental health problem for at least 2 weeks a year.

2. Who suffers from depression?
2% of Children get depressed
6-8% of Teenagers
1999 survey- reported that1 of every 10 American high school students reported making a suicide attempt the year before.
Teenage boys are more likely than girls to kill themselves.
Look for a change in behavior or performance in school

3. What is Depression?
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts
It impacts the way a person functions socially, at work, and in relationships.
It is more than feeling blue, down in the dumps or sad about a particular issue or situation.
It is a medical condition that requires diagnosis and treatment

4. Major Depressive Disorder
Depression is the “common cold” of psychological disorders. In a year, 5.8% of men and 9.5% of women report depression worldwide (WHO, 2002).
Blue mood
Major Depressive Disorder
Gasping for air after a hard run
Chronic shortness of breath

5. Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder occurs when signs of depression last two weeks or more and are not caused by drugs or medical conditions.
Signs include:
Lethargy and fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness
Loss of interest in family & friends
Loss of interest in activities

6. Dysthymic Disorder
Dysthymic disorder lies between a blue mood and major depressive disorder. It is a disorder characterized by daily depression lasting two years or more.
Major Depressive
Disorder
Blue
Mood
Dysthymic

7. Causes of Depression
Depression can be caused by one or more of the following:
Imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain
Triggered by stress, medication or other medical problems
Certain personality factors or genetic traits

8. Symptoms of Depression
FIVE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS:
Feelings of sadness, depressed mood and/or irritability
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Changes in weight or appetite
Changes in sleep pattern-not enough or too much

9. Symptoms of Depression
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, remember things or make decisions
Constant fatigue or loss of energy
Restlessness or decreased activity
Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death

10. Treatment for Depression:
Approximately 80% of people who receive treatment for Depression improve.
There are three types of treatment:
Psychotherapy
Medication
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

11. Psychotherapy: What is it?
Psychotherapy is a form of “talking therapy” that works by helping a person gain an understanding or insight into their problems and work on solving them.
Behavioral psychotherapy is a type of therapy that looks at patterns of behavior that may contribute to depression.

12. Medication for Depression:
Antidepressant Medication helps by affecting the brain chemistry.
Often take 3-5 weeks to become fully effective, but improvement is often experienced within the first week.
Work well and are safe
They are Non-habit forming!

13. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is safer than medications for many
Faster acting than most medications
Can be done on an Out Patient basis
Can be used in combination with medication
Is used in life threatening situations to achieve fast relief
Can be a one time course or can be used as maintenance therapy for those who remain medication resistant

14. ECT: How is it done? ECT is a painless procedure
A person is put to sleep with general anesthesia
Muscle relaxers are used to prevent any injury from the procedure
Oxygen is given by mask during ECT
The whole treatment takes 5 minutes
You are awake, up walking and eating breakfast with one hour. Home within two!

15. Other special populations:
Elderly- Our Senior Citizens!
Increased feelings of isolation & support
Medically Ill- Depression is often either a symptom or as a result of a serious or chronic medical problem
treatment improves quality of life!
Those persons with Addictions-
If the depression is treated, the addiction can be treated also.