Depression

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Depression
A closer look at

• More than just a mood swing

Power point by Hayley Jones
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Depression is...

• Not something to be taken lightly. It is an
  illness that needs recognition and treatment, the
  sooner the better
• An illness that can vary from person to person in
  its effects on the mind/body
• A mental illness with no strong relation to poor
  types of diet that cause other types of
  diseases/illnesses
• Not something caused by careless acts, but
  instead is known to creep upon its victims
  slowly and unexpectedly
• Often triggered by an event in ones life or a
  series of events that are not the most pleasant
  but instead, well quite depressing
• Examples Trauma, Stress, Critical illness,
  Failure
• Often seen more in families with a history of
  depression within their genetic makeup

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It is important to keep in mind...

• Depression also has different levels and types,
  as it is a mental illness and no two minds think
  exactly alike
• Low level depression (often caused by low self
  esteem)
• Major depressive disorder,
• Bipolar disorder
• Postpartum depression
• To be very clear, depression is more than a state
  of mind but involves chemical changes and
  imbalances within the brain called
  neurotransmitters

Depression is not caused by ones life alone
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Horrible Misconception

• Depression is often considered a weakness or a
  disease
• It is also often considered a dramatization of
  bad mood changes or the blues
• These misconceptions/assumptions of the general
  public and those depressed make those depressed
  unable to recognize, evaluate or seek treatment
  of their condition.
• These misconceptions can also be very harmful to
  those depressed because when depressed, without
  treatment depression can lead to suicide or life
  condemned by the mental illness

Do not consider depression a personal weakness
or fault. It is a critical illness that needs to
be treated!
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Depression Symptons are...

• Very varied from patient to patient but can
  include
• -Self loathing
• -Irritability
• -Aches and pains (caused by more severe
  depression)
• -Sleep changes
• -Appetite or weight changes
• -Loss of interest in daily activities
• -Feeling of hopelessness
• -Feeling of helplessness
• -Loss of energy
• -Thoughts of death or suicide

-Sadness, Anxiety, Empty feelings
-Difficulty concentrating
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Depression Statistics

• Depression is the leading cause of disability in
  the United States
• Almost 10 of Americans are affected each year,
  thats almost 19 million people
• 10-25 of women will struggle with depression
  within their lifetime
• 5-12 of men will struggle with depression
  within their lifetime
• More and more young children are showing signs of
  depression at an earlier age than past years

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Depression Treatment

• Because depression is a mental illness, different
  treatments work on different people
• Anti-depressants are prescribed by doctors for
  different cases of depression to balance the
  chemicals within the brain
• Therapy and Counseling both can help a great deal
  with treatment, mainly known as Psychotherapy
• Cognitive therapy is also a therapeutic method
  for depression treatment

If someone suspects they have depression,
early treatment by a doctor decreases the
length/severity of the illness a great deal
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Avoid it!

• Because depression is such a diverse illness, no
  single set of steps will ensure a person from
  never developing depression
• However, some common things can be done to avoid
  depression including
• Leading a healthy lifestyle
• Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise
• Developing a steady sleep routine
• Keeping up a large social support network
• Going outside or participating in various
  activities, being involved in something
• Finding something in life that one can be
  passionate about and find joy in
• Treating ones self with respect and care, if this
  is hard than therapy can prove beneficial
• Being aware of any signs of depression and
  talking about it with a trusted friend or doctor

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Sources for becoming informed

• There are many, many websites that deal out
  depression information, most of which are
  trustworthy places to visit. Here are a few that
  are guaranteed to be 100 factual
• http//www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html
• http//www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depres
  sion/complete-publication.shtml
• http//www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_he
  alth/depression.html
• I also found that depression.com,
  depression.about.com, www.webmd.com/depression
  and many others were sites worth checking out
• Another valuable source for depression
  information is a local doctor or specialist
  clinic

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School/CommunityResources

• How can each of the following provide help?
• Counselor
• Teacher
• Coach
• Clergy member
• Physician
• Friend or family member
• Reliable Help-lines or Websites

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School/CommunityResources

• How can each of the following provide help?
• Counselor
• Teacher
• Coach
• Clergy member
• Physician
• Friend or family member
• Reliable Help-lines or Websites

12
School/CommunityResources

• How can each of the following provide help?
• Counselor
• Teacher
• Coach
• Clergy member
• Physician
• Friend or family member
• Reliable Help-lines or Websites