Stress and Depression Common Causes Common Signs and Symptoms Coping Strategies Caring & Treatment Tips

Stress is the way your body relates to life’s pressures. What Is Stress? Stress is the way your body relates to life’s pressures.

What Are Some Common Sources of Stress? Situations in the home Parents’ separation or divorce, A new stepparent, A new brother or sister, A single parent household, Little or no emotional support, Neglect (personal needs not met), Abuse (physical or sexual)…

What Are Some Common Sources of Stress? Situations in life: Death of a loved one or friend, Moving to a new town or new school, Illness or hospitalization, Violence in the neighborhood, community, world, Natural disasters or other emergencies…

What Are Some Common Sources of Stress? Situations at school: Problems with friends, Gangs, threats from others, bullies, Competition, Popularity, Homework, grades, pressures to excel, No support for school work…

Reactions to Stress Reactions to stress can be Short term Long term Extreme and life threatening Reactions to stress can affect a person’s Physical health Emotional health Thinking Social activity

What Are Some Common Symptoms of Stress? Thoughts: Difficulty communicating or listening, Lack of concentration, Memory problems, Difficulty making decisions, Disorientation and confusion, Loss of objectivity…

What Are Some Common Symptoms of Stress? Feelings Frequent crying, show of emotions, Hyper-vigilance or excessive worry, Irritability, outbursts of anger, frequent arguments, Depression, Apathy, Denial, Anxiety or fear, Guilt, Grief…

What Are Some Common Symptoms of Stress? Physical Changes Short-term physical reactions: Oxygen Extra oxygen reaches the brain because the bronchioles dilate Endorphins Adrenaline Extra blood reaches the organs because the heart rate increases

What Are Some Common Symptoms of Stress? Physical Symptoms Effects on the Body: Long Term Damage to the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems, People develop patterns of response, These responses may indicate need for corrective action to limit their impact.

What Are Some Common Symptoms of Stress? Change in behavior Increase or decrease in activity level, Substance use or abuse (alcohol or drugs), Decline in school performance, absenteeism, Avoidance of activities or places (isolation), Becoming accident prone, Inability to rest or relax, Blaming, Difficulty in giving or accepting support or help, Inability to experience pleasure or have fun…

What Is Depression? Depression is a common and serious medical condition characterized by extreme sadness and loss of pleasure in life.

What Is Depression? Depression can lead to suicide. Depression can happen in anyone’s life. Any race Any social standing Any age – 1 in 8 adolescents have some symptoms

What Causes Depression? Precise causes are not known. Biological - genetic factors Psycho - social factors Ex: continued distress from any of the previously identified “stressors”, Ex: distorted, negative thinking patterns…

Contributing Factors for Depression in Teens: Stressors such as fear of not meeting expectations of parents, teachers, others… When things go wrong at school or at home teens may feel unsure of abilities or question how they fit in… Facing choices about friendship, sex, alcohol, and drugs… Facing conflicting messages from parents, teachers, friends and society…

Danger Signs in Depressed Teens When students…… Experience a humiliating or anxiety provoking situation, Show more than five major signs of depression for over two weeks (see student handout: Signs of Depression), Demonstrate or verbalize suicidal thoughts, Increase risk-taking behavior, Show signs of personality changes, Seriously neglect self-care…

Stress and Depression Continued stress can lead to depression. Continued depression can lead to suicide. Managing stress can prevent or reduce depression and suicide. It is important to manage both stress and depression.

Stress & Depression: Comparing Physical Symptoms Gastrointestinal problems Headaches, other aches and pains Chronic fatigue or sleep disturbances Weight loss or gain Sweating or chills Tremors or muscle twitching Being easily startled Immune system disorders Visual disturbances Depression Stomachaches Headaches Sleeping problems Weight changes Appetite changes Lack of energy Joint or backaches

Stress & Depression: Comparing Thoughts Lack of concentration Memory problems Difficulty making decisions Disorientation and confusion Loss of objectivity Depression Difficulty concentrating Difficulty making decisions Problems completing school work Problems maintaining grades

Stress & Depression: Comparing Feelings Apathy Denial Anxiety or fear Guilt Grief Depression Sadness Lack of enjoyment of everyday pleasures Hopelessness Worthlessness Emptiness Guilt

Stress & Depression: Comparing Actions Isolation Blaming Difficulty in giving or accepting support or help Inability to experience pleasure or have fun Depression Restless Not wanting to go to school – cutting classes Wanting to be alone Difficulty getting along Dropping out of sports, hobbies, activities Drinking, drug use

Coping Strategies Coping with Stress There are many resources for stress management. Be aware of signs and symptoms of stress: Take practical action to reduce the stress as soon as possible. Identify ways to manage / reduce source of symptoms: Ex: relaxation and meditation techniques to help with physical symptoms of stress, Ex: discuss your thoughts and feelings with a responsible adult…

Coping Strategies Coping with Depression Recognize the signs of depression. Remember that depression is not a sign of weakness nor is it something you can “snap out of”. Depression is a serious condition that needs medical attention. Depression can be successfully treated and the emotional pain can be relieved.

Caring and Treatment Tips Stress – Offer to listen, Suggest a responsible person / resource to go to for help, Depression – Offer to listen - show concern, Trust your instincts - alert an adult to your concern about a depressed person.

Extreme Stress Chronic or traumatic stress is potentially very destructive and can deprive [youth] of physical and mental health. If stress is extreme and not managed, some individuals may experience post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events.