From Blue to You Women and Depression

Vignette Meet Mary

What’s going on with Mary? Mary cannot remember good times or when she has felt wellMary cannot remember good times or when she has felt well She does not have any motivation or energyShe does not have any motivation or energy Her relationships with her family are sufferingHer relationships with her family are suffering She is irritableShe is irritable

She has lost interest in sex, hobbies, and friendsShe has lost interest in sex, hobbies, and friends She is not eating and losing weightShe is not eating and losing weight She is having sleeping difficultiesShe is having sleeping difficulties What’s going on with Mary?

What is depression? A mental disorder or illnessA mental disorder or illness Involves the body, mood, and thoughtsInvolves the body, mood, and thoughts

Is depression common? Yes.Yes. Approximately 7 million women in the United States have clinical depression.Approximately 7 million women in the United States have clinical depression.

What are the symptoms? Physical symptoms Emotional symptoms Psychosocial symptoms

Stigma Prevents women from seeking treatment –Afraid of others knowing –Feelings of failure or weakness

Treatment There is treatment available for MaryThere is treatment available for Mary Talk therapy Medication therapy Combination: talk and medication therapy

Address mental, social, and environmental roots of depressionAddress mental, social, and environmental roots of depression Involve familyInvolve family Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy Talk therapy

Medication therapy SSRIsSSRIs Side effects do occurSide effects do occur Talk to doctor about the right choiceTalk to doctor about the right choice

Combination therapy Talk therapy plus medicationTalk therapy plus medication Consistently shown to be most effectiveConsistently shown to be most effective

Where to go for help Health care professionalHealth care professional Social services Social services OnlineOnline

Online –Support groups d=depression d=depression –Chat rooms orums/a/frm/f/ orums/a/frm/f/ –Blogs –Websites

If you were Mary’s family member, what could you do to help? Get helpGet help Encourage her to stick with treatmentEncourage her to stick with treatment Offer emotional supportOffer emotional support Invite her to do thingsInvite her to do things Plan and prepare healthy mealsPlan and prepare healthy meals Do not accuse Mary of faking an illness or expect her "to snap out of it."Do not accuse Mary of faking an illness or expect her "to snap out of it."

What to do if you think you have depression Get professional helpGet professional help Don’t bottle things upDon’t bottle things up Keep activeKeep active Avoid alcohol and drugsAvoid alcohol and drugs Don’t get upset if you can’t sleepDon’t get upset if you can’t sleep Do something you enjoyDo something you enjoy Review your lifestyleReview your lifestyle Take a breakTake a break Eat properlyEat properly Read about depressionRead about depression

References Beyond Blue (2008). What is Depression. Retrieved from Bhatia, S.C. & Bhatia, S.K. (1999). Depression in Women: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations. American Family Physician, 60, 1, Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from =54&ContentID=23039&lstid=326 =54&ContentID=23039&lstid=326 Frank, E., Novick, D., & Masalehdan, A. (2003). About mental illness: Depression in women. Retrieved from entID= entID=61089 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from NIMH (2008). How Do Women Experience Depression? Retrieved from Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information. Retrieved from center.com/Depression/statistics.htmhttp:// center.com/Depression/statistics.htm

Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhD former Assistant Professor Department of Family Studies Ester Edwards, BS Graduate student Department of Family Studies Leslie Crofford, MD Professor, College of Medicine April 2010 Health Education through Extension Leadership The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration. For More Information…