Stressed & Depressed S More than just a “mood swing”

Stress and Cup Activity…. Each student write a “stressor” (what stresses you out) on a piece of paper and fold it up. Put it in a cup... Place your cup on the front table Need a Volunteer?

Read the stress from the cup then hold on to the new cup (can’t nest the cups together) How much stress can the person handle

Reflection  How much stress can someone deal with?  How does this affect the way you treat others?  What does this tell you about how you deal with your own life?

Do you have stress in your life? In your journal answer the following ? 1. What are your top 5 stressors? 2. How do you deal with stress in your life and how do you do to cope? 3. Who are the people you turn to for help when you’re stressed? List 3 other resources you could seek out for help.

Causes of Teenage Stress & Depression

Stress Basics  Eustress (+ stressors) i.e.. Made the Varsity team  Distress (- stressors)  Bodies Response to Stress  Alarm (pituitary, adrenaline)  Fight or flight  Fatigue (physical, psychological)

TYPES & CATEGORIES  Short Term – ordinary, often unexplainable, few minutes to 1 to 2 days  Situational – directly linked to an event. Last days to months depending on extent of trauma.  Chronic – pervasive feelings of depression usually beginning early in childhood.  Bi-polar disorder or Mania Depression – (1%) depths of depression to frenzied highs  Major Depression (15%) chronic reoccurring illness

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 It’s effects on the mind/body What causes clinical depression: biological (run in the family) emotional (life experiences) Often seen more in families with a history of depression within their genetic makeup

Low motivation Grade change Sadness Fatigue Guilt Hopeless, worthlessness Isolating / Withdrawing Substance Abuse Irritability Sleep changes Appetite weight changes Loss of interest Thoughts of death & suicide

Management Strategies  Identify cause  Time management  Sleep  Physical activity  Nutrition  Avoid tobacco etc  Support  Meditation  Laughter  Express feelings  Positive attitude  Relaxation

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 Combined treatment of both. ***If someone suspects they have depression, early treatment by a doctor decreases the length/severity of the illness a great deal

WHERE DO YOU GO FOR HELP?? COUNSELORS TEACHERS COACHES CLERGY PHYSICIAN FRIEND & FAMILY MEMBERS RELIABLE SOURCES (HELP LINES & WEBSITES)

Depression is often considered a “weakness”. It is also often considered a dramatization of bad mood changes or “the blues” These misconceptions by the general public make the depressed unable to recognize, evaluate or seek treatment of their condition. These misconceptions can also be very harmful to the depressed because without treatment depression can lead to suicide or a life overshadowed by the mental illness Do not consider depression a personal weakness or fault. It is an illness that needs to be treated!

Depression…. When the “down” lasts for more than a couple of weeks. It affects the total person – in addition to feelings, it can changebehavior physical health academic performance social activities how person handles daily decisions/pressures

Leading a healthy lifestyle: Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise Developing a steady sleep routine Keeping up a large social support network Participating in various activities, being involved in something Find something in life that one can be passionate about and find joy in Treating yourself with respect and care, therapy can prove beneficial Be aware of the signs of depression. Talk with a trusted friend or Doctor. Laughter is the best medicine:

Warning Signs  Headache, stomach ache, asthma, high blood pressure, weight gain/loss, weakened immune system.  Difficulty concentrating, negative self- talk, mood swings.  Change in eating habits, sleeping habits  Isolation or withdrawl

Stress Inventories…. We all have different levels in our life’s and it can change daily…. STRESS TEST – subtract B (Coping Skills) from A (Stress Suceptibilities) If the number you get is more than +10 you are being negatively affected by stress HOLMES-RAHE STRESS INVENTORY – Less than Low amount of stress in your life % chance of a major illness in the next 2 years Over % chance of a major illness in the next 2 years