Lesson 5 - depression Learning Objectives · Understand what depression is · Compare medical depression to ‘feeling down’.  

Who is this? Why is he famous? What are his greatest achievements?

Cavalry officer Dramatic escape from captivity in Bohr war Conservative MP Prime minister during World War 2 Bulldog spirit Love of cigars and brandy Constructed Grand Alliance against Hitler Prime minister for second time in 1951-1955 Considered one of the greatest British icons ever

Churchill also suffered from manic depression – he called it his ‘black dog’ ‘‘I don’t like standing near the edge of a platform when an express train is passing through. I like to stand back and, if possible, get a pillar between me and the train. I don’t like to stand by the side of a ship and look down into the water. A second’s action would end everything. A few drops of desperation.’’

Robbie Williams Depression isn't about, 'Woe is me, my life is this, that and the other', it's like having the worst flu all day that you just can't kick.

Marian Keys I know of people who don't believe it, but depression is an illness, but unlike, say, a broken leg, you don't know when it'll get better.

Why do people develop clinical depression?

Signs and symptoms of depression PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS continuous low mood or sadness feeling hopeless and helpless having low self-esteem  feeling tearful feeling guilt-ridden feeling irritable having no motivation or interest in things finding it difficult to make decisions not getting any enjoyment out of life feeling anxious having thoughts of harming yourself PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS moving or speaking more slowly than usual  change in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)  unexplained aches and pains lack of energy or lack of interest in sex changes to your menstrual cycle disturbed sleep (for example, finding it hard to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning)

Suicide – key points Most people with diagnosed depression do not take their lives People who express suicidal thoughts are very unwell – immediate medical help is needed Suicide devastates families and communities People do not ‘commit suicide’ – they are not criminals The Samaritans can be phoned 24/7: 116 123