Anxiety and Depression

1
Anxiety and Depression

• Module C Lesson 3
• Grade 11 Active, Healthy Lifestyles

2
A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada

• Anxiety disorders affect 12 of the population
• Many may not seek treatment for their anxiety
• Consider the symptoms mild or normal
• Symptoms interfere with help-seeking
• NO weakness associated with seeking help if one
  is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed

3
Anxiety Disorders

• Most of us experience anxiety or feel anxious
  every day
• Concern over lack of control over circumstances
• May generate a solution but usually results in
  negative thinking
• May be an illness
• Comes out of nowhere, is excessive, persists for
  many weeks without relief or interferes with
  everyday life

4
Signs and Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Feelings of unreality
• Shakiness
• Irritability
• Muscle aches and tension
• Insomnia
• Tight chest
• Restlessness
• Racing heart
• Sweating and nausea
• Choking sensations
• Abdominal distress
• Numbness or tingling

• Feel short-tempered and apprehensive, fearing
  that bad things are about to happen
• Can cause significant personal and societal costs
  
• Lost wages
• Decreased productivity
• Reduced quality of life
• Frequent use of health care services

5
Types

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Specific phobias
• Social anxiety disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

6
Causes

• No single explanation for the cause of anxiety
  disorders
• Inherited tendency
• Stressful experiences
• Shy temperament
• Anxious parents
• Unpredictable lifestyle

7
Depression

• Affects a persons thoughts, moods, feelings,
  behaviour and physical health
• Not a weakness and cannot treat on own
• Medical disorder with a biological and chemical
  basis
• Genetics or family interaction styles
• Stressful life event.
• Spontaneously with no specific identifiable cause
• May occur only once, sporadically or chronically

8
Signs and Symptoms

• Lack of interest in normal daily living
• Feeling miserable or down in the dumps
• Feelings of sadness and helplessness or may cry
  often
• Other signs and symptoms lasting at least two
  weeks
• Changes in sleep patterns, concentration, weight
  or eating patterns, demeanour, self-esteem, and
  desire to live, gastrointestinal problems,
  headache and backache
• Different age groups may react differently

9
Types

• Major depression
• Dysthymia
• Adjustment disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder

10
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues
11
Self-Assessment of Mental Health

• Choose a self-test you would like to try
• Discuss results if desired
• Anxiety Test
• Coping Skills Test
• Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test
• Optimism/Pessimism Test
• Resilience Test
• Self-Esteem Test
• Social Anxiety Test

12
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues

• Review the Mental Health Scenarios to become more
  acquainted with various mental health issues and
  some of their signs and symptoms

13
Prevention Strategies

• Control your feelings through healthy lifestyle
  practices
• Deep breathing, relaxation, guided imagery or
  visualization, yoga, meditation and calming
  self-talk
• Physical exercise
• Not a cure but its psychological and physical
  benefits can improve the symptoms

14
Exercise as the Best Preventive Medicine

• Research the benefits of exercise and physical
  activity for mental-emotional health and present
  findings in different ways

15
Seeking Professional Help

• Diagnosis of depression should be left to a
  health professional

16
Community Supports and Services

• Research supports and services for
  mental-emotional health issues available in the
  local community or in the province