Clinical Definition What does it mean? Who Suffers from Depression Causes Signs/ Symptoms Treatment Help

 A medical condition that leads to intense feelings of sadness or despair; these feelings don't go away on their own, and are not necessarily related to a particular life event.  Depression is an illness that affects the body, mood and thoughts  It impacts the way a person functions socially, at school or work, and in relationships.  It is more than feeling blue, down in the dumps or sad about a particular issue or situation.  It is a medical condition that requires diagnosis and treatment  Nuerotransmitters: Chemicals in the brain that allow nerve cells to "communicate" with one another  What does this mean?  Too few or too many neurotransmitters may be released and cause or contribute to depression.

 Depression can affect anyone but there is a significantly higher rate of depression among women than men.  17 million Americans develop depression each year.  8.6% of adults over 18 have a mental health problem for at least 2 weeks a year.

 2% of Children get depressed  6-8% of Teenagers  Survey- reported that 1 of every 10 American high school students reported making a suicide attempt the year before.  Teenage boys are more likely than girls to commit suicide.  Look for a change in behavior or performance in school

 It is NOT something to be ashamed of.  It is NOT a character flaw or sign of weakness.  No one with depression can just “Snap Out of It”.

 TREATABLE  No matter what the cause of a persons depression, there is treatment and it is widely available!!

 Depression can be caused by one or more of the following:  Imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain  Triggered by stress, medication or other medical problems  Certain personality factors or genetic traits

 Must last for more than two weeks  difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions  fatigue and decreased energy  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness  feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism  insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

 irritability, restlessness  loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable  overeating or loss of appetite  persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment  persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings  thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

 Approximately 80% of people who receive treatment for Depression improve.  There are three types of treatment:  Psychotherapy  Medication  Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)  a procedure used to treat severe depression. It may be used in people with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts or when other treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medicines have not worked

 Psychotherapy is a form of “talking therapy” that works by helping a person gain an understanding or insight into their problems and work on solving them.  Behavioral psychotherapy is a type of therapy that looks at patterns of behavior that may contribute to depression.

 Anti-depressant Medication helps by affecting the brain chemistry.  Often take 3-5 weeks to become fully effective, but improvement is often experienced within the first week.  They work well and are safe  They are Non-habit forming!

 Faster acting than most medications  Is usually done on an Out Patient basis  Can be used in combination with medication and therapy  Can be done 2-3 x’s/week for 2-3 weeks or can be used as maintenance therapy for those who remain medication resistant which is done 1x/week until tapering off to 1x/month

 ECT is a painless procedure  A person is put to sleep with general anesthesia  Muscle relaxers are used to prevent any injury from the procedure  Oxygen is given by mask during ECT  The whole treatment takes 5 minutes  You are awake, up walking and eating breakfast with one hour. Home within two!

 Listen and provide support  Be patient, understanding and encouraging  Don’t dismiss the symptoms but you can offer hope  Try to understand the negative feelings the person may be feeling  Remember that depression is a medical condition

 Take care of the “little things”  Remind person to keep doctor’s appointments and to take their medication!  Help to support healthy habits: good sleeping habits, eating well, trying to get exercise

 Offer Support  Let the person know that you’re there for them.  Refrain from asking a lot of questions.  Be Gentle but Persistent  Don’t give up, the person may shut you out at first. The hardest thing to do is admit that there is a problem…  BUT it is the first step to recovery  Listen Without Lecturing  Do not pass judgment, the important thing is that the person is talking.  Validate Feelings  Acknowledge the feelings of pain and sadness they are feeling, even if you think they are irrational.  If you do not, they will feel you don’t take their emotions seriously and will further their feelings of loneliness.

 Suicide threats are to be taken seriously!  Take care of your self  Remember:  Depression is a very treatable illness, and you or your loved one can get better with appropriate medical treatment and support!

In School: Student Assistance Counselors  - Ms. Kumpf School Nurses  - Ms. Masterson  - Ms. Kivetz Guidance Councelors Teachers Principals Coaches

Local Help Somerset County (908) Morris County (973) ex. 228 National Suicide SUICIDE TALK