Bell ringer 2/28/12 A perfect weekend would include the following:

DEPRESSION What is depression?? DEPRESSION What is depression?? A Mental illness Prolonged feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and sadness that are much stronger than the everyday blues.

Depression is…   An illness not a character weakness   Usually doesn’t go away on its own   Develops after an upsetting event OR……. for no particular reason

Who Gets Depressed?  ANYONE CAN !  19 Million Americans will become depressed THIS YEAR.  More Americans suffer from depression than heart disease(12 million), cancer(10 million) & HIV(1 million) 1 in 8 teens become depressed1 in 8 teens become depressed

Signs of Depression  Appearance- sad, slow movements, poor hygiene, dress differently  Unhappy feelings, sad, hopeless, discouraged.  (-) self talk= “I’m a failure”, “No one cares”  No energy  More irritable or angry than usual

Signs of Depression (Continued)  Reduced Concentration  Guilt and low self-esteem  Physical problems- Weight loss/gain, sleeping more/less, headaches etc.  Suicidal Thoughts

  If you have 5 or more of these symptoms for 2 wks or more, you may be depressed.   Depression take on many forms it can be overlooked!

* 1 in 3 teens will receive help *Affects more girls than guys WHY? *30% of depressed teens develop a substance abuse problem * 80% w/ depression can be successfully treated *Untreated depression = #1 cause of suicide *40% get better w/ talk therapy

Clinical Depression Vs. “The blues” Clinical depression is much more severe and long term. Clinical depression often interferes with an individual’s everyday tasks.

***Reactive Depression***- responses to a stressful event, death of someone close, disease, injury etc.   Lasts a few weeks and then the person moves on

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Causes of Depression We don’t ENTIRELY know……. But we do know: GGGGenetics LLLLife events….. SSSStress & the way we react to it MMMMedical conditions FFFFamily & social environment

What happens in the brain when someone is depressed? Affects chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters which regulate mood. These chemicals send messages between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters= Serotonin & Norepinephrine

When neurotransmitters run low … People feel depressed, anxious & stressed. Medication may be needed to restore balance.

Treatment   Antidepressants and/or talk therapy   Medication may increase suicidal thoughts in the beginning   70-80% respond to therapy

Why don’t Teens Get help???

Why don’t teens get help?   Don’t recognize the symptoms   Denial that anything is wrong   Believe nothing can help   Perception….sign of weakness   Can’t admit to having a problem   Embarrassed   Can’t talk to parents

Helping Someone with Depression BBBBe available (Listen) SSSSuggest professional help MMMMake them feel important LLLListen and watch for threats of suicide SSSSAP referral TTTTell an adult

  National Suicide Prevention CALL (TALK) It will connect you to the closest crisis center

Remember…………..   Your help should never come at your own emotional expense. If you look after your own needs, you’ll be in a better position to take care of your depressed friend or relative