Depression / Suicide

Think of a time when you were feeling sad/depressed or anxious and under a great deal of stress: What was the situation?  Describe it. What did it feel like?   Did you act differently during this time? How?? Did you think differently during this time? How??  

What is Depression? Depression can be a disabling condition, that hinders the sufferer to lead a normal life, affecting their daily routine, their relationships, and even their health. Categorized as a general feeling of low self esteem, of lack of interest in anything around, and lack of pleasure from any activity, depression can become a serious mental disorder, if left untreated.

2 Types of Depression Reactive depression– caused by circumstances in your life. Major or clinical depression – a medical condition, a chemical imbalance in the brain. Born with it or it develops in the teen or adult years. A reactive depression could lead to clinical depression. It is not something that a person can “just get over” or “snap out of.”

Mood Disorders Experiencing extreme emotions that make it difficult to function in their daily lives. Examples: Bipolar disorder/manic depressive disorder Definitions Major/Clinical Depression Schizophrenia (a severe disturbance in thinking, mood, awareness, and behavior) Definitions

Mental Disorders A mental disorder is an illness that affects the mind and reduces a person’s ability to function, to adjust to change, or get along with others. Example: a mental disorder could affect a person’s ability to study, keep a job, or make friends.

Recognizing Mental Disorders Mental Health experts see abnormal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors as signs, or symptoms, of a mental disorder. Example: frequent hand washing

Types of Disorders ADD/ADHD Anxiety/General Anxiety Disorder Phobias Panic Attacks Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Causes of Mental Disorders Physical Factors: damage to the brain can cause a mental disorder. Examples include: Growths or tumors on the brain A TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Infection that kills brain cells Exposure to poison e.g. lead Prolonged use of drugs and/or alcohol

Causes of Mental Disorders Heredity: a person may inherit a tendency toward a mental disorder. Early Experiences: extremely negative experiences that occur early in life can lead to mental illness. e.g. neglect/abuse Recent Experiences

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary situation

If someone tells you they are thinking of suicide, they are really asking for HELP

But, you are not responsible to directly help someone who is considering suicide.

YOUR ROLE: SHOW SUPPORT SHOW YOU CARE GET HELP!!

Never keep the threat of suicide a secret. What to do: Never keep the threat of suicide a secret. You should never try to help the person yourself GET HELP

Things Not to Say: “You’ll get over it.” “Things can’t be that bad.” “I can’t believe you would think of killing yourself.” “Look how lucky you are.” “You don’t have any right to feel this way.” DON’T JOKE ABOUT IT.

Helpful comments: “What you’re saying worries me.” “I want us to try to get you some help.” “Things sound really bad right now.” “There are other way to handle problems.” I care about you and want you around.”

Treatment 80% of people who seek treatment for depression will improve with therapy or medication or a combination of both. It is a myth that mentally ill people cannot get better. This sometimes stops people from accepting their illness and getting help.