Understanding Depression

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Understanding Depression
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What causes Depression?

• Family History (Biological)
• Having a family members who has depression may
  increase a persons risk
• Imbalances of certain chemicals in the brain may
  lead to depression

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• Major Life Changes (Psychological)
• Positive or negative events can trigger
  depression. Ex. death of a loved one.
• Major Illnesses such as heart attack, stroke or
  cancer may trigger depression.

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• Certain medications used alone or in combination
  can cause side effects much like the symptoms of
  depression.
• Use of Alcohol or other Drugs can lead to or
  worsen depression.
• Depression can also occur for no apparent reason!

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Symptoms of Depression

• Vary from person to person
• 2 key signs are loss of interest in things you
  like to do and sadness or irritability

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Additional Signs include

• Changes in feelings which may include
• Feeling empty
• Inability to enjoy anything
• Hopelessness
• Loss of sexual desire
• Loss of warm feelings for family or friends
• Feelings of self blame or guilt
• Loss of self esteem
• Inexplicable crying spells, sadness or
  irritability

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Changes in behavior and attitude

• These may include
• General slowing down
• Neglect of responsibilities and appearance
• Poor memory
• Inability to concentrate
• Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors
• Difficulty making decisions

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Physical Complaints

• These may include
• Sleep disturbances such as early morning waking,
  sleeping too much or insomnia
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss or gain
• Unexplained headaches or backaches
• Stomachaches, indigestion or changes in bowl
  habits

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Common Types of Depression

• Major Depression
• Dysthymia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

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Major Depression

• This type causes symptoms that may
• Begin suddenly, possibly triggered by a loss,
  crisis or change
• Interfere with normal functioning
• Continue for months or years
• It is possible for a person to have only one
  episode of major depression. It is more common
  for episodes to be long lasting or to occur
  several times during a persons life

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Dysthymia

• People with this illness are mildly depressed for
  years. They function fairly well on a daily basis
  but their relationships suffer over time.

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Bipolar Disorder

• People with this type of illness change back and
  forth between periods of depression and periods
  of mania (an extreme high).
• Symptoms of mania may include
• Less need for sleep
• Overconfidence
• Racing thoughts
• Reckless behavior
• Increased energy
• Mood changes are usually gradual, but can be
  sudden

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Season Affective Disorder

• This is a depression that results from changes in
  the season. Most cases begin in the fall or
  winter, or when there is a decrease in sunlight.

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• Professional treatment is necessary for all
  these types of depression.

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Treatment for Depression

• Medication
• Antidepressants can help ease the symptoms of
  depression and return a person to normal
  functioning. Antidepressants are not habit
  forming.

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Psychotherapy

• This can help many depressed people understand
  themselves and cope with their problems. For
  example
• Interpersonal therapy works to change
  relationships that affect depression
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people change
  negative thinking and behavior patterns

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If you or someone you know has symptoms of
depression

• Take Action!

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• See a doctor for a complete check up.
• Go to the counseling center and talk to a
  counselor.
• Talk things over with a friend, family member or
  a residential life staff member.

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• Dont expect too much of yourself
• Take a break
• Get some exercise
• Avoid extra stress and big changes

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Things to do

• Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol or drugs
• Exercise or engage in some form of physical
  activity
• Eat a proper, well-balanced diet

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• Obtain an adequate amount of sleep
• Seek emotional support from family and friends
• Focus on positive aspects of your life
• Pace yourself, modify your schedule, and set
  realistic goals

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Things to Avoid

• Dont make long-term commitments or important
  decisions unless necessary
• Dont assume things are hopeless
• Dont engage in emotional reasoning (i.e.
  because I feel awful, my life is terrible)
• Dont assume responsibility for events which are
  outside of your control
• Dont avoid treatment as a way of coping

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Intervening with a depressed friend

• Be empathetic and understanding
• Dont try to cheer up a depressed person
• Avoid critical or shaming statements
• Challenge expressions of hopelessness
• Empathize with feelings of sadness, grief, anger
  and frustration

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Helping a depressed friend

• Dont argue about how bad things are
• Dont insist that depression or sadness are the
  wrong feelings to be experiencing
• Dont become angry even though your efforts may
  be resisted or rejected

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Helping a depressed friend

• Encourage them to seek help, go with them to the
  counseling center
• Be supportive of counselor or doctor suggestions