By: Kennedy, Rachel, Dylan, Stephan & Kelsey K.

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts and that affects the way a person acts, sleeps, feels about him/ herself, and thinks about things. Depression is not the same as feeling sad. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be pushed away.

People with depression cannot merely pull themselves together and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years. Appropriate treatment is needed.

Everybody can get depression. About twice as many women are diagnosed with depression than men. Also people under the age of 20 and over the age of 60 are more at risk of being diagnosed with depression. People living in long term care facilities have a rate of depression of 1 in 10 people.

Depression affects 10% - 15% of men and 10% - 25% of women. That is 1 in every 20 Canadians, 1.5 million people are affected by depression.

 Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable  Loss of appetite ( weight loss)  Overeating (weight gain)  Loss of emotional expression  Persistently sad, anxious or empty mood  Feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness or helplessness  Social withdrawal  Unusual fatigue, low energy/ feeling of being slowed down  Sleep disturbance  Headaches, digestive disorder, or chronic pain that does not respond to treatment.  Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

Major depression: A combination of symptoms (described in previous slide) that interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities. These episodes can occur once, twice or several times in a lifetime. Dysthymia: A less intense type of depression that involves long-term, chronic symptoms that are less severe, but keep one from functioning at full ability and from feeling good. Bipolar Disorder (manic–depressive illness): Periods of depression alternate with periods of elation and increase activity, known as mania. Seasonal Depression: A type of depression where the symptoms occur at one certain point in the year (e.g. Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer).

Learn as much as you can about your depression find out if your symptoms are occurring because of medical conditions. Determine if your depression is severe and you will be told what kind of treatment you will need. Also you can go to the hospital to seek medical attention for your depression. Also therapy groups that can help but will not be as affective as medical help.

You can help your depressed family member or friend by scheduling and tracking medications, making medical appointments and reporting changes to the medical professional. Be understanding and continually let your depressed family member or friend know that you care. Depressed people need to be reminded that many people are concerned about them. Learn more about depression, the more understanding you have of the symptoms and issues surrounding depression. The more you can cope, help and keep your expectations realistic. Review books, brochures, family profiles ( and videos on a variety of depression topics.

Meeting with the medical professional from time to time can be very helpful, if your family member or friend with depression will agree to it. You can gain a good understanding of the condition and discuss the issue together. See a couples therapist if your spouse suffers from depression because there is a higher likelihood of ending in divorce. Getting help can restore relationships also better communication skills. You can also see family therapist and they will help with depression. Create a support system, try not to take on caring for a depressed individual all by yourself. It is a difficult task and can bring you down to. Talk to other family members about sharing responsibilities.