Depression

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Depression

• Katharine Lay
• KPHLI
• Worksite Wellness Series

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What is Depression?

• Depression is a medical disorder, just like high
  blood pressure, stomach ulcers and heart disease.
  It affects a persons Behavior, feelings,
  thoughts, and body functions.

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Depression Symptoms

• A person that is depressed may pull away from
  people and activities.
• Lose interest and pleasure in life
• Feel sad, disappointed, confused, or anxious.
• Suffer aches and pain, fatigue, poor digestion,
  sleep problems, etc.

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Depression

• Most people feel down from time to time this is a
  natural response to stress and tension.
• With depression these feelings are severe or long
  lasting.
• Depression can affect anyone no matter what race,
  age, social, economic, and educational background
  a person has.

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Depression

• Depression is often ignored or untreated.
• Everyone you may be involved with suffers,
  because untreated depression can disrupt work,
  family relationships and social life.
• It is not your fault that you are depressed, and
  it does not mean that you are weak, or lazy.

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Depression can be treated!

• Most people can start feeling well again in a few
  weeks after seeking help.

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Depression Can Affect Anyone!

• Babies or children can become depressed due to
  family conflicts.
• Adolescents can through social and physical
  changes that cause mood swings.

• Young Adults become depressed because of new
  responsibilities from changes.
• Middle Aged adults may become depressed when
  children leave the home or physical health.

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Depression can affect anyone contd.

• Elderly people often get depressed because of
  physical health, retirement, fixed income, or the
  loss of a loved one.

• Women are more likely to be diagnosed with
  depression than men. This may be due to
  biological differences, and women having a
  greater willingness to express feelings.

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Depression can be due too?

• Genetics
• Brain Chemistry
• Hormonal Changes
• Illnesses
• Misuse of alcohol or other drugs
• Some medicines
• Stress, Grief or abuse

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Three Causes of Depression

• 1. A Change in ones life due to
• A death of someone you love
• Separation, divorce, getting married or having a
  baby.
• A good friend moving away
• A major illness or injury
• Trouble at work, or getting laid off or fired.
• Relationship problems, moving to a new place.

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Three Causes of Depression contd.

• Negative thinking
• Some people think negative about themselves and
  are more likely to be depressed.
• To feel better the person must realize the
  negative thinking and learn to change it.
• A person may need to seek help from a counselor
  to change this process.

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Three Causes of Depression contd.

• Chemical Imbalances
• Nerves in the brain do not connect the way they
  are supposed to, and maybe due too low a level of
  certain chemicals in the brain.
• Medication prescribed by a doctor can replace
  these chemicals. Counseling is also recommended.

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Could I be Depressed?

• If you have daily symptoms for at least 2 weeks
  or more.
• Display symptoms of depression? How many do you
  have on the next slide?

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Do You Have The Symptoms?

• Trouble remembering, thinking or making
  decisions.
• Fatigue or lack of energy.
• Lack of interest in sex, hobbies or friends.

• Headaches
• Stomachaches
• Sexual problems
• A deep sense of sadness or unhappiness.
• Weight gain or weight loss

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More Symptoms of Depression

• Change of appetite
• Restlessness or decreased activity
• Feelings of uneasiness
• Thoughts of death or suicide attempted suicide.

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Different Types of Depression

• Major Depression
• can happen suddenly and display symptoms that
  were triggered by loss, crisis or change. Major
  depression may be long lasting and repeat several
  times during a persons life.

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Different Types of Depression

• Dysthymia
• A person suffering from this type of depression
  can function fairly well on a daily basis, but
  relationships and work will suffer over time. A
  person suffering from Dysthymia are mildly
  depressed for years.

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Different Types of Depression

• Bipolar Disorder
• A person suffering from this depression can
  change back and forth between periods of
  depression and periods of extreme high or mania.
  
• Symptoms of Mania are insomnia, increased energy,
  racing thoughts, reckless behavior, and
  overconfidence.

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Different Types of Depression

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• This type of depression is the result from
  changes in the seasons, mostly happens beginning
  in the fall through winter and ends in the
  Spring.
• Symptoms feel low or depressed, sleep more, but
  still are tired, have an increased appetite
  usually for carbohydrates, and weight gain.

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How Can I help Myself?

• Look for things that you are good at doing, even
  a small success helps you to feel better.
• Physical Activity
• Get plenty of rest and eat from the 4 food
  groups.
• Avoid alcohol (depressant).
• Seek professional help if needed.

• Talk to someone you trust.
• Think positively, especially if you find yourself
  thinking negative thoughts. STOP and focus on
  positive things, to make you feel better.

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Available Resources

• National Mental Health Association Provides
  fact sheets, pamphlets, and books on all aspects
  of mental health and mental illnesses.
  www.nmha.org
• WebMD includes a comprehensive and
  easy-to-follow overview of depression, symptoms,
  causes, treatments and much more. www.medmd.com

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Has
  in-depth information on depression and other mood
  disorders from one of the nations leading support
  groups. www.dbsalliance.org
• Families for Depression Awareness Resource for
  families grappling with depression and related
  mental illnesses. Includes educational
  information, personal stories and advice.
  www.familyaware.com