2. What is the difference between major/clinical depression and just feeling down?
A person with depression experiences severe and long lasting episodes of feeling hopeless and helpless – can’t ever see it getting better
Someone who “feels depressed” knows they will get through it with time

3. Situational Depression
Results from normal sadness and disappointment one might experience in life
For example, death of a loved one, breakup with a boyfriend, low grades, divorce of a parent

4. Factors that lead to depression
A family history (genes)
Imbalance in brain chemicals (serotonin)
Major life changes (off to college)
Major illness
Use of alcohol/drugs
Side effect of certain medications

5. Symptoms of Depression
Sleep patterns – too much or too little
Lack of interest in friends & usual activities
Poorly in school
Anger & irritability
Indecision or lack of concentration
Change in weight – up or down
Drug and/or alcohol abuse

6. Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression
Mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness of depression and the overexcited and unreasonably optimistic state of mania

7. Mania/Manic Episode Opposite of depression – way up
Symptoms include: Insomnia, racing thoughts, overconfidence, grand ideas, reckless behavior, increased energy

8. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD
Disorder in which you are trapped in an endless cycle of repetitive thoughts and behaviors
1 in 50 people have it – more common than diabetes or asthma

9. Obsessions & Compulsions
Obsessions – uncontrollable, exaggerated thoughts/worries – i.e., germs, repeated doubts, needing things arranged in a certain way, aggressive impulses, not being able to get images out of your head
Compulsions – repetitive actions that are done to try to stop the obsessions – i.e., washing/cleaning, checking/seeking reassurance, precisely arranging things
*they only work temporarily

10. Post traumatic stress disorder PTSD
Reexperiencing an extremely traumatic event that involved actual or threatened death or injury to oneself or someone else
Examples
Military combat
Sexual assault
Natural disasters
Severe automobile accident

11. PTSD continued… Symptoms Flashbacks Nightmares
Exposure to the object (acts as a reminder)
Left feeling intense fear and helplessness afterward