CLINICAL DEPRESSIONCLINICAL DEPRESSION

What is depression??What is depression??

Prolonged feelings of:

• Hopelessness

• Helplessness

• Sadness

Much stronger than the everyday blues.

Who Gets Depressed?Who Gets Depressed?

ANYONE CAN SUFFER FROM ANYONE CAN SUFFER FROM DEPRESSIONDEPRESSION

19 Million Americans will become 19 Million Americans will become depressed THIS YEAR.depressed THIS YEAR.

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Clinical DepressionClinical Depression “The“The(Major depression(Major depression vs.vs. Blues”Blues”

Clinical depression Clinical depression is much more is much more severesevere and and longlong term. Characterized by a combination of symptoms that term. Characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with an individual’s ability to:interfere with an individual’s ability to:

-work-work -sleep-sleep -study-study -eat-eat

-Enjoy once pleasurable activities-Enjoy once pleasurable activities(Hopelessness, Helplessness and Sadness)(Hopelessness, Helplessness and Sadness)

In your notes, write down 5 things that have occurred In your notes, write down 5 things that have occurred your life that made you feel sad.your life that made you feel sad.

Other Common Types of Other Common Types of DepressionDepression DysthymiaDysthymia- - characterized by long-term (2 years or longer)

symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person but can prevent normal functioning or feeling well.

Minor depressionMinor depression- - is characterized by having symptoms for 2 weeks or longer that do not meet full criteria for clinical depression.

Postpartum depressionPostpartum depression- - Experienced by approx. 10-15% of women after giving birth when hormonal and physical changes as well as taking care of a baby can be overwhelming

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- Onset of - Onset of depression during winter months when there is less depression during winter months when there is less sunlight.sunlight.

Bipolar DisorderBipolar Disorder- Extreme highs and extreme lows- Extreme highs and extreme lows

Causes of DepressionCauses of Depression

We don’t ENTIRELY know…….We don’t ENTIRELY know…….But we do know most likely caused by:But we do know most likely caused by:

Genetic Factors- Genetic Factors- Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate mood (epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine)

Environmental Factors-Environmental Factors- External stimuli (loss of loved one, External stimuli (loss of loved one, bad relationship, bullying etc.)bad relationship, bullying etc.)

******Reactive DepressionReactive Depression***- responses to a ***- responses to a stressful event, death of someone close, stressful event, death of someone close, disease, injury etc.disease, injury etc.

Signs of DepressionSigns of Depression

AppearanceAppearance- sad face, slow - sad face, slow movements, poor hygiene. movements, poor hygiene.

Unhappy feelingsUnhappy feelings- sad, anxious, - sad, anxious, hopeless, discouraged.hopeless, discouraged.

Negative thoughtsNegative thoughts- “I’m a failure”, “No - “I’m a failure”, “No one cares”one cares”

Reduced ActivityReduced Activity- doing anything seems - doing anything seems to be too much effort.to be too much effort.

Signs of Depression Signs of Depression (Continued)(Continued)

Reduced ConcentrationReduced Concentration Guilt and low self-esteemGuilt and low self-esteem Physical problemsPhysical problems- Weight - Weight

loss/gain, sleeping problems, loss/gain, sleeping problems, headaches etc.headaches etc.

Suicidal ThoughtsSuicidal Thoughts

Helping Someone with Helping Someone with DepressionDepression

Be available (Listen)Be available (Listen) Suggest professional helpSuggest professional help Make them feel importantMake them feel important Listen and watch for threats of Listen and watch for threats of

suicidesuicide Visit family doctorVisit family doctor