Depression Purdue University Calumet Counseling Center Gyte Counseling Center Webpage

Who does it impact?  The National Institute for Mental Health estimates that in the U.S., 16 million adults had at least one major depressive episode in  That is 6.9% of the population  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression.  Depression is the leading cause of disability.

What are the symptoms?  Depressed mood (feeling sad or empty) most of the day, nearly every day  Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed  Significant weight loss or weight gain (change of more than 5% body weight in a month)  Insomnia (trouble sleeping) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much)

Symptoms  Psychomotor agitation (physical and emotional responses sped up) or retardation (physical and emotional responses slowed down)  Fatigue or loss of energy  Feeling worthless or excessive/inappropriate guilt  Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness  Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or having a plan for suicide.

Emotional Symptoms  extreme irritability over minor things  anxiety and restlessness  anger management issues  loss of interest in favorite activities  fixation on the past or on things that have gone wrong  thoughts of death or suicide

Physical Symptoms  insomnia or sleeping too much  debilitating fatigue  increased or decreased appetite  weight gain or weight loss  difficulty concentrating or making decisions  unexplained aches and pains

Symptoms  In children, depression may cause clinginess and refusal to go to school. Teens may be excessively negative and begin avoiding friends and activities.  Depression may be difficult to spot in older adults. Unexplained memory loss, sleep problems, or withdrawal may be signs of depression.

Others may notice depression if you: - Consistently making negative statements about themselves -Withdrawing from social involvement -Increasing in irritability or angry outbursts -Losing interest in sexual activity -Begin complaining of frequent headaches, stomachaches, or muscle pain

Who does it affect?  Over 50% of university students report feeling depressed at some point since their freshman year of college  15% of college students meet the criteria for clinical depression  Women are twice as likely to experience depression as men (though this may be related to gender differences in the way sadness is expressed)

Causes and Risk Factors  There is no single cause of depression. Brain chemistry, hormones, and genetics may all play a role. Other risk factors for depression include:  low self-esteem  anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  physical or sexual abuse

Causes and Risk Factors  chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer  alcohol or drug abuse  certain prescription medications  family history of depression

Related Symptoms  Anxiety  Substance abuse

Common Myths  Depression is not a real medical problem. -Extensive research has indicated genuine biological and genetic factors that contribute to the development of depression, not just psychological factors.  Depression can be changed by “positive thinking” if a person is strong enough. -Depression is not something people can “snap out of” with positive thinking, as research shows that it can change brain structure and alter thoughts and perceptions.

Common Myths cont.  Depression will go away on its own. -Without treatment, depression can last for months, years, or worse: it can result in suicide, the 3 rd leading cause of death for Americans between  Depression only results from traumatic events, such as the death of a loved one. - Sometimes, painful events in life can bring about a depressive episode, but for many people it occurs when everything in life seems to be going smoothly.

How can you know?  If you, or someone you know has symptoms of depression, take it seriously. Make an appointment with a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks. It’s important to report all symptoms. A physical examination and blood tests can rule out health problems that can contribute to depression.  Depression Screening website: Completely anonymous and confidential Depression Screening website  Does not provide a clinical diagnosis, but can give you some idea of whether you (or someone you care about) should seek professional help

What makes depression worse?  Ignoring the problem, denying the problem, or waiting for it to go away  Alcohol  Drugs  Social isolation from friends and family  Poor diet  Poor sleeping habits/schedule

Treatment  Depression is treatable with professional help  Treatment can include antidepressant medication and psychological counseling.

Complications Prolonged or chronic depression can have a devastating impact on your emotional and physical health. Untreated, it may even put your life at risk. Depression can lead to:  alcohol or drug abuse  headaches and other chronic aches and pains  phobias, panic disorders, anxiety attacks  trouble with school or work  family and relationship problems  social isolation  overweight or obesity due to eating disorders, raising the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes  self-mutilation  attempted suicide or suicide

What can you do?  Seek professional help (counseling center, mental health center)  Many places offer free to low-cost therapeutic services  Seek support groups (community, online, friends, family)  Talk about it (with family, friends, community)  Accept that the problem exists  Stay active  Limit alcohol consumption  Increase social activity  Eat a balanced diet, and don’t skip meals  Seek mindfulness classes (can be found free online)

Help is Available:  Seek professional help.  Contact PUC Counseling Center at or come to the office at Gyte 05  Contact PUC Student Health Service Center at or come to the office at Gyte Annex 34

References  American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., Text Revision). Washington, DC: Author.  Fava M, Cassano P. Mood disorders: Major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusette General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 29.  Pietrangelo, A. (2015). Depression and Mental Health by the numbers: Facts, statistics, and you. Healthline.com  Kessler, R. C., McGonagle, K. A., Zhao, S., Nelson, C. B., Hughes, M., Eshleman, S., Wittchen, H.U., & Kendler, K.S. (1994). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United States. Results from the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 51, 8-19

References (continued)  Furr, Susan R.; Westefeld, John S.; McConnell, Gaye N.; Jenkins, J. Marshall (2001). Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 32,  National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)  Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Larson, J., & Grayson, C. (1999). Explaining the gender difference in depressive symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77,