1. Understanding “Depression”

2. There are several forms of depressive disorders Major depressive disorder (MDD) - a severely depressed mood that persists for at least two weeks.Suicide occurs in 15% of individuals with severe MDD. Dysthymic disorder - a mild depression that continues almost daily over a span of at least two years. Psychotic depression - is one of the most severe in which the person experiences moments of delusional or paranoid being. Postpartum depression - affects two mothers out of a thousand after childbirth, lasts only a few weeks. Includes hallucinations and delusions. Seasonal affective disorder - experience depressive symptoms in winter.

3. Depression Depression is a serious medical condition that affects a person's work, family and school life, sleeping and eating habits. For some, depression can include thoughts of death or suicide. Depression affects plenty of people who don't have any obvious risk factors. Affects about 7-18% of the population more common in women than in men Depression is highly treatable

4. Symptoms of Depression Depression has a variety of physical and emotional symptoms: Feeling unhappy Tired, no sex drive Loss of interest in life; no enjoyment from things you previously enjoyed Loss of confidence Fatigue or lack of energy Sleeping too much or too little Change in appetite or weight Trouble concentrating Feeling useless/hopeless, irritable Avoiding people Problems concentrating

5. What causes Depression? A combination of genetic (50% of depression victims have 1 or both parents who have also suffered from it), psychological, and environmental factors is often involved in the onset of depression. an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin). Other risk factors for depression: – Early childhood trauma or abuse – Alcohol or drug abuse – Unemployment or underemployment – Health problems or chronic pain

6. Gender also has an influence – –women are about twice as likely to suffer from depression than men are – Why? hormonal changes due to: puberty, menstruation, pregnancy/childbirth (postpartum depression is commong) and menopause men are more likely to go undiagnosed; more likely to be angry/hostile and mask their condition with alcohol or drug use. –Suicide is a serious risk for men who are depressed

7. Treating Depression Most common: psychotherapy and medication. –Treating depression with drugs Antidepressants are often the first treatment option prescribed by health professionals. Changes levels of certain neurotransmitters. Possible side effects include: headache, nausea, nervousness, blurred vision or drowsiness. –Treating depression with psychotherapy or counseling cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) CBT teaches people to change negative thinking and behavior, IPT helps people work through trouble personal relationships. Other methods of treatment include exercise, acupuncture, meditation, and herbal supplements.

8. Statistics: According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, approximately 8% of adult Canadians will experience a major depression/anxiety at some point in their lives, and around 5% will in a given year. 15% of severely depressed women will commit suicide 3 million Canadians have serious depression, although only 1 in 10 will seek medical treatment. 80 – 90% of depressed people respond to treatment and get relief.