Depression
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder, one that most often appears during early adolescence.
A mood disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way a person feels about himself or herself, and even the way he or she eats, sleeps and thinks. Common mood disorders include clinical depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder
It’s important to remember that people with mood disorders, as with other mental illnesses, cannot “pull themselves together” and get better using willpower alone.
Clinical DepressionPeople who suffer from clinical depression often feel sad, worthless and empty to the point of being unable to function. They lose interest in their usual activities, and experience a shift in appetite and energy levels.
A change in sleep patterns (eg, insomnia or excessive oversleeping) is also a symptom of clinical depression. In extreme cases, a depressed person has thoughts of death or suicide.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)Seasonal affective disorder, which is linked to reduced light in winter months, makes some people depressed. SAD is common and treatable through various forms of light therapy.
Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is an illness marked by periods of serious depression followed by episodes of markedly elevated or irritable moods or highs (in the absence of drugs or alcohol). These mood swings are not necessarily related to events in a person’s life. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 1 per cent of the population, and affects men and women equally.
Sources: Alberta Education, Can We Talk
Depression is a serious condition that causes damage to the brain. This mental disorder can have numerous causes, including genetic and environmental factors. Treating depression is a must, as otherwise it may lead to the development of a series of other conditions.
Symptoms of depression
Depression can cause numerous symptoms. Below are listed some of them:
Source: http://www.dsmiv.net/depression.html
Depression is characterized by symptoms such as persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, dejection and guilt; withdrawal from activities and people; poor concentration; lack of energy; inability to sleep; weight loss or gain; anxiety, irritability or agitation; and/or thoughts of death or suicide. Depression may be caused by a loss, by genetic or biochemical factors, or by past or ongoing trauma. Students with disabilities are as vulnerable to depression as the general population. Depression is usually treated with counselling and/or medication.
Source: http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/inmdict/html/pdf/Depression_E.pdf
What causes depression?
What causes depression is not known completely today. However, there are some risk factors which can lead to the development of this condition.
Risk factors:
People of all ages can be diagnosed with depression. However, the disease is commonly found in people aged between 20 and 30. Risk factors of depression include:
Source: http://www.dsmiv.net/depression.html
How can depression be treated?
Depression needs to be treated as soon as possible. To overcome this condition, patients can undergo a series of therapies. Both medication and support may be needed. Actually, the most effective treatment for depression is considered to be the combination between medication and psychotherapy. Treatment will vary from one case to another, depending on the needs of each patient. Support can be offered to both patient and his family.
Other Treatment Plans may include:
Overcoming depression is a complex process that will most likely take months. It requires time and commitment. Even though the patient starts feeling better, the treatment has to continue until the specialist tells you that you have managed to cure your health problem.
Source: http://www.dsmiv.net/depression.html
How can I spot someone with depression?
People with depression feel hopeless about themselves (“I’m a failure”), the world (“There is nothing good out there”) and the future (“Things will always be bad”).
A person who is clinically depressed will have at least two of the following signs and symptoms for at least two weeks:
• An unusually sad mood that persists
• Loss of interest in activities that once were enjoyable
• Lack of energy and fatigue
Other symptoms include:
• Loss of confidence and self-esteem
• Feeling guilty when they are not at fault
• Thinking about suicide
• Loss of concentration and difficulty making decisions
• Moving more slowly or becoming agitated and unable to settle
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of interest in food or eating too much
How can I help someone with depression?
The good news is depression can be treated and people do get better. Here are some ways you can help someone with depression:
Watch for signs. A depressed person may experience some or all of the symptoms described in this brochure. They may be irritable or anxious, cry easily, become increasingly negative about themselves or the world around them, disregard their appearance or may not tackle responsibilities as they normally do.
Listen and reassure. Listen with your heart, and try not to judge. Have a serious conversation about how they are feeling. Ask them if they are feeling blue. Tell them you think they might be depressed but also reassure them that depression is a common mood disorder and people can get help and recover.
Help them get help. Encourage them to see a family doctor, psychologist or qualified mental health therapist. Counselling can help change thoughts, behaviours and feelings to reduce depression. Medication may also be effective. Help the person get in touch with a professional.
Source: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/MentalHealthWellness/hi-mhw-depression-adult.pdf
Additional Helpful Links:
Depression Treatment and Care
A comprehensive and readable document that offers further information for general knowledge of depression.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-treatment-care
What is Depression?
A document from Mood Disorders Canada about this mental health issue.
Source: http://www.mooddisorderscanada.ca/documents/Publications/%20DepressEngMasterFeb2011.pdf
Depression is a mood disorder, one that most often appears during early adolescence.
A mood disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way a person feels about himself or herself, and even the way he or she eats, sleeps and thinks. Common mood disorders include clinical depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder
It’s important to remember that people with mood disorders, as with other mental illnesses, cannot “pull themselves together” and get better using willpower alone.
Clinical DepressionPeople who suffer from clinical depression often feel sad, worthless and empty to the point of being unable to function. They lose interest in their usual activities, and experience a shift in appetite and energy levels.
A change in sleep patterns (eg, insomnia or excessive oversleeping) is also a symptom of clinical depression. In extreme cases, a depressed person has thoughts of death or suicide.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)Seasonal affective disorder, which is linked to reduced light in winter months, makes some people depressed. SAD is common and treatable through various forms of light therapy.
Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is an illness marked by periods of serious depression followed by episodes of markedly elevated or irritable moods or highs (in the absence of drugs or alcohol). These mood swings are not necessarily related to events in a person’s life. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 1 per cent of the population, and affects men and women equally.
Sources: Alberta Education, Can We Talk
Depression is a serious condition that causes damage to the brain. This mental disorder can have numerous causes, including genetic and environmental factors. Treating depression is a must, as otherwise it may lead to the development of a series of other conditions.
Symptoms of depression
Depression can cause numerous symptoms. Below are listed some of them:
- Sadness;
- Pessimism;
- Feeling of guilt and hopelessness;
- Change in weight;
- Loss of interest in all type of activities;
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping;
- Severe energy loss;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Poor memory;
- Fatigue;
- Anxiety, agitation, irritability;
- Suicide thoughts;
- Feeling that life is not worth it.
Source: http://www.dsmiv.net/depression.html
Depression is characterized by symptoms such as persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, dejection and guilt; withdrawal from activities and people; poor concentration; lack of energy; inability to sleep; weight loss or gain; anxiety, irritability or agitation; and/or thoughts of death or suicide. Depression may be caused by a loss, by genetic or biochemical factors, or by past or ongoing trauma. Students with disabilities are as vulnerable to depression as the general population. Depression is usually treated with counselling and/or medication.
Source: http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/inmdict/html/pdf/Depression_E.pdf
What causes depression?
What causes depression is not known completely today. However, there are some risk factors which can lead to the development of this condition.
- Patients who have been diagnosed with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains.
- Changes in the body’s balance of hormones may also lead to the development of this disease.
- Certain traumatic events, including the death of someone dear, can also lead to depression.
- High stress can cause depression, too.
- Traumatic events during childhood, including abuse, can determine permanent damage to the brain.
Risk factors:
People of all ages can be diagnosed with depression. However, the disease is commonly found in people aged between 20 and 30. Risk factors of depression include:
- Having relatives suffering from depression;
- Having traumatic experiences as a child;
- Not socializing;
- Being lonely;
- Having few friends;
- Leading a stressful life;
- Experiencing stressful events;
- Having a serious illness;
- Abusing alcohol or drugs.
Source: http://www.dsmiv.net/depression.html
How can depression be treated?
Depression needs to be treated as soon as possible. To overcome this condition, patients can undergo a series of therapies. Both medication and support may be needed. Actually, the most effective treatment for depression is considered to be the combination between medication and psychotherapy. Treatment will vary from one case to another, depending on the needs of each patient. Support can be offered to both patient and his family.
Other Treatment Plans may include:
- Psychotherapy
- Electric Shock Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Medicinal therapies such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Trycyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), and other medications. These medications are often accompanied with various side effects, and must be prescribed and monitored by a physician or psychiatrist. Medication is not a "cure" but a management and treatment plan. Medication needs and responses may evolve over time and should always be carefully monitored.
Overcoming depression is a complex process that will most likely take months. It requires time and commitment. Even though the patient starts feeling better, the treatment has to continue until the specialist tells you that you have managed to cure your health problem.
Source: http://www.dsmiv.net/depression.html
How can I spot someone with depression?
People with depression feel hopeless about themselves (“I’m a failure”), the world (“There is nothing good out there”) and the future (“Things will always be bad”).
A person who is clinically depressed will have at least two of the following signs and symptoms for at least two weeks:
• An unusually sad mood that persists
• Loss of interest in activities that once were enjoyable
• Lack of energy and fatigue
Other symptoms include:
• Loss of confidence and self-esteem
• Feeling guilty when they are not at fault
• Thinking about suicide
• Loss of concentration and difficulty making decisions
• Moving more slowly or becoming agitated and unable to settle
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of interest in food or eating too much
How can I help someone with depression?
The good news is depression can be treated and people do get better. Here are some ways you can help someone with depression:
Watch for signs. A depressed person may experience some or all of the symptoms described in this brochure. They may be irritable or anxious, cry easily, become increasingly negative about themselves or the world around them, disregard their appearance or may not tackle responsibilities as they normally do.
Listen and reassure. Listen with your heart, and try not to judge. Have a serious conversation about how they are feeling. Ask them if they are feeling blue. Tell them you think they might be depressed but also reassure them that depression is a common mood disorder and people can get help and recover.
Help them get help. Encourage them to see a family doctor, psychologist or qualified mental health therapist. Counselling can help change thoughts, behaviours and feelings to reduce depression. Medication may also be effective. Help the person get in touch with a professional.
Source: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/MentalHealthWellness/hi-mhw-depression-adult.pdf
Additional Helpful Links:
Depression Treatment and Care
A comprehensive and readable document that offers further information for general knowledge of depression.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-treatment-care
What is Depression?
A document from Mood Disorders Canada about this mental health issue.
Source: http://www.mooddisorderscanada.ca/documents/Publications/%20DepressEngMasterFeb2011.pdf