By: Samantha Ferreyra Jose Lopez Period: 7 December 7, 2012 Major Depression By: Samantha Ferreyra Jose Lopez Period: 7 December 7, 2012

What Is Major Depression? An episode of change in mood that last for weeks or months Treatable Average ages are between 25-29 years old Affects anyone from children to older adults Most common mental disorder in the United States

Symptoms of Major Depression Changes in appetite Low energy Decreased concentration Increased crying Think lots of negative thoughts Up to 20% of people will experience depression symptoms

How to Treat Major Depression Boost self-esteem Have a proper diet Get psychotherapy Exercise Take medication that includes antidepressants and tricyclic. A test diagnosis shows if symptoms are serious

Major Depression Untreated Causes Alcohol abuse Anxiety Self-mutilation Social isolation Suicide- 80% of the suicidal deaths are linked to major depression. Medical conditions like heart failure or chronic pain conditions

How Is Major Depression Developed? Life events Early childhood trauma Hormones Alcohol abuse Twice as women are diagnosised than men

Brain Parts Damaged by Major Depression The limbic system, neurotransmitters, and cortisol. Limbic system controls emotion and goes into malfunction Neurotransmitter transfers messages throughout the brain and are reduced Cortisol are stress hormones inside the limbic system and dramatically increase

Other Facts About Major Depression 35 to 40 million Americans will suffer from major depression Can happen more than once 2/3 people will recover completely and 1/3 will recover partially or not at all People who know someone with major depression are 1.5 to 3 times more likely to develop the condition than those who did not