1. 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?

2. 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?

3. 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

4. How is Depression Different From Regular Sadness?
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.

5. Depression is Common
This study found the following groups to be more likely to meet criteria for major depression:
persons 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
Source: CDC

6. What Causes Depression?
There is no single cause of depression.
Factors that play a role in depression:
Genetics:
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 and Social Environment:
A negative, stressful, or unhappy family atmosphere can affect self-esteem and lead to depression.

7. What Causes Depression cont.
Medical Conditions:
Certain medical conditions can affect hormone imbalance and therefore have an effect on mood.
Hypothyroidism
Chemical imbalance:
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones.

8. What Happens in the Brain?
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

9. Types of Depression
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.

10. Types of Depression
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.

11. WAKE UP

12. What are the Symptoms of Depression?
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

13. 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

14. Treatment Options Medication
Antidepressants
Can take a few weeks before the medicine works.
Individual Therapy
Family Therapy
Lifestyle changes
80-90% of people that seek mental health treatment can function the way they did before they were ill.

15. 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.

16. 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.