More than just a “mood swing” A closer look at: Depression More than just a “mood swing” Power point by: Hayley Jones

Depression is... Not something to be taken lightly. It is an illness that needs recognition and treatment, the sooner the better An illness that can vary from person to person in it’s effects on the mind/body A mental illness with no strong relation to poor types of diet that cause other types of diseases/illnesses Not something caused by careless acts, but instead is known to creep upon its “victims” slowly and unexpectedly Often triggered by an event in one’s life or a series of events that are not the most pleasant but instead, well quite depressing Examples: Trauma, Stress, Critical illness, Failure Often seen more in families with a history of depression within their genetic makeup

It is important to keep in mind... Depression also has different levels and types, as it is a mental illness and no two minds think exactly alike Low level depression (often caused by low self esteem) Major depressive disorder, Bipolar disorder Postpartum depression To be very clear, depression is more than a state of mind but involves chemical changes and imbalances within the brain called neurotransmitters Depression is not caused by ones life alone

Horrible Misconception: Depression is often considered a “weakness” or a disease It is also often considered a dramatization of bad mood changes or “the blues” These misconceptions/assumptions of the general public and those depressed make those depressed unable to recognize, evaluate or seek treatment of their condition. These misconceptions can also be very harmful to those depressed because when depressed, without treatment depression can lead to suicide or life condemned by the mental illness ***Do not consider depression a personal weakness or fault. It is a critical illness that needs to be treated!

Depression Symptons are... Very varied from patient to patient but can include: -Self loathing -Irritability -Aches and pains (caused by more severe depression) -Sleep changes -Appetite or weight changes -Loss of interest in daily activities -Feeling of hopelessness -Feeling of helplessness -Loss of energy -Thoughts of death or suicide -Sadness, Anxiety, “Empty” feelings -Difficulty concentrating

Depression Statistics: Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States Almost 10% of Americans are affected each year, that’s almost 19 million people 10%-25% of women will struggle with depression within their lifetime 5%-12% of men will struggle with depression within their lifetime More and more young children are showing signs of depression at an earlier age than past years

Depression Treatment: Because depression is a mental illness, different treatments work on different people Anti-depressants are prescribed by doctors for different cases of depression to balance the chemicals within the brain Therapy and Counseling both can help a great deal with treatment, mainly known as Psychotherapy Cognitive therapy is also a therapeutic method for depression treatment ***If someone suspects they have depression, early treatment by a doctor decreases the length/severity of the illness a great deal

Avoid it! Because depression is such a diverse illness, no single set of steps will ensure a person from never developing depression However, some common things can be done to avoid depression including: Leading a healthy lifestyle: Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise Developing a steady sleep routine Keeping up a large social support network Going outside or participating in various activities, being involved in something Finding something in life that one can be passionate about and find joy in Treating ones self with respect and care, if this is hard than therapy can prove beneficial Being aware of any signs of depression and talking about it with a trusted friend or doctor

Sources for becoming informed: There are many, many websites that deal out depression information, most of which are trustworthy places to visit. Here are a few that are guaranteed to be 100% factual: http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/depression.html I also found that depression.com, depression.about.com, www.webmd.com/depression and many others were sites worth checking out Another valuable source for depression information is a local doctor or specialist clinic

School/Community Resources How can each of the following provide help? Counselor Teacher Coach Clergy member Physician Friend or family member Reliable Help-lines or Websites

School/Community Resources How can each of the following provide help? Counselor Teacher Coach Clergy member Physician Friend or family member Reliable Help-lines or Websites

School/Community Resources How can each of the following provide help? Counselor Teacher Coach Clergy member Physician Friend or family member Reliable Help-lines or Websites