DepressionUnderstanding it and getting help

Tyson Chase, Shamma EspinalCarlie Hansen, Aubrey Hansen,

Brittnany Sosa

Depression(Major Depressive Disorder)

• Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts

• It impacts the way a person functions socially, at work, and in relationships.

• It is more than feeling blue, down in the dumps or sad about a particular issue or situation.

• It is a medical condition that requires diagnosis and treatment

What Depression is NOT…

• It is not something to be ashamed of.

• It is NOT a character flaw or sign of weakness.

• No one with depression can just “Snap Out of It”.

• You can’t “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps”.

Who suffers from depression?

• Depression can effect anyone but there is a significantly higher rate of depression among women than men.

• 17 million Americans develop depression each year.

• 8.6% of adults over 18 have a mental health problem for at least 2 weeks a year.

Who suffers from depression?

• 2% of Children get depressed• 6-8% of Teenagers• Teenage boys are more likely than girls to kill

themselves.• There are 18.8 million American adults, or

about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, have a depressive disorder.

Signs of Depression

• Feelings of sadness, depressed mood and/or irritability

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities• Changes in weight or appetite• Changes in sleep pattern-not enough or too

much

Symptoms of Depression

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or

helplessness• Irritability, restlessness• •Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once

pleasurable, including sex

Symptoms of Depression

• Fatigue and decreased energy• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details

and making decisions• Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or

excessive sleeping• Overeating, or appetite loss• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

Causes of Depression

• Depression can be caused by one or more of the following:

• Imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain

• Triggered by stress, medication or other medical problems

• Certain personality factors or genetic traits

Depression is linked to ReligionIn Utah Depression in women is linked to the LDS Religion

Mother of Zion Syndrome

• Some women feel they have to reach this kind of idealized, crystallize, beautiful Mormon woman.

• This is a woman who is really a myth, a mystique but you probably know someone like this.

• She's got it all together, her children are well-groomed: she bakes every day; she has wonderfully clean things in her house; her husband is happy and whistles off to work; she never complains at any of the Church meetings they go to; she's supportive and loyal, not only that; she gets up an reads her scriptures at six in the morning.

Utah depression statistics

• Utah is 70% LDS and has one of the highest rates of depression out of the 50 states.

• Statistics in Utah reflect a depressive, judgmental, suppressive, negative social atmosphere of control.

• The prevalence of poor mental health in Utah: 41.4% 1st of 50 states.

• Birthrate per 1,000 in Utah: 21.2% 1st of 50 states.• Physical exercise in Utah: 83.1% 2nd of 50 states • Therefore, the poor mental health (highly-prevalent depression)

does not stem from a lack of exercise, smoking, or drinking as required by the LDS Church Word of Wisdom dictates.

Treatments

• Medication• Meditation• Kinesiology• Psychotherapy• Electroconvulsive Therapy

Medication

• Scientists studying depression have found that these particular chemicals are involved in regulating mood, but they are unsure of the exact ways in which they work.

Antidepressants

• Antidepressants work to normalize naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, notably serotonin and norepinephrine.

• The newest and most popular antidepressant is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

SSRIs• Consist of:

Medication

• If one medication does not work, patients should be open to trying another

• National Institute of Mental Health-funded research has shown that patients who did not get well after taking a first medication increased their chances of becoming symptom-free after they switched to a different medication.

Meditation

• Meditation helps you find work through your problems

• Meditation is when you focus your energy, sit down, and considerate on the good things that are happening in your life.

Kinesiology

• Kinesiology is a way to talk your way through your problems and understanding the motions your having and why you are having them.

• When you find out why you have depression or the reason why your depressed you can address the problem.

Psychotherapy

• It is a form of “talking therapy” that works by helping a person gain and understanding of insight in to their problems.

• It is also a form of therapy that looks at patterns of behavior that my contribute to the depression

Electroconvulsive Therapy

• ECT is safer than medications for many• Faster acting than most medications• Can be used in combination with medication• A person is put to sleep with anesthesia• Muscle relaxers are used to prevent and injury• You are awake, up walking and eating in one

hour.

How can I help myself ?

• Engage in mild activity or exercise. Go to a movie, a ballgame, or another event or activity that you once enjoyed. Participate in religious, social or other activities.

• Set realistic goals for yourself.• Break up large tasks into small ones, set some

priorities and do what you can as you can.

How can I help myself ?• Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend

or relative. Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you.

• Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Do not expect to suddenly "snap out of" your depression. Often during treatment for depression, sleep and appetite will begin to improve before your depressed mood lifts.

• Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced or changing jobs, until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.

How can you help a friend?

• Offer emotional support, understanding, patience and encouragement.

• Engage your friend or relative in conversation, and listen carefully.

• Never disparage feelings your friend or relative expresses, but point out realities and offer hope.

• Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to your friend's or relative's therapist or doctor.

How can you help a friend?

• Take care of the “little things”• Remind your loved one to keep doctor’s

appointments and to take their medication!• Help to support healthy habits: good sleeping

habits, eating well, trying to get exercise• Urge your loved one to postpone major life

decisions such as changing jobs, divorce, marriage or moving until his or her depression is better

Where can I go for help?

• Depression Clinic U of U 581-5111

• Emergency/Suicide Prevention 483-5444

• LDS Hospital 321-1100

• Mountain View Hospital 465-7041

• Suicide Prevention Crisis Service 483-5444

• Utah Valley Hospital 371-3788

Depression

• What is • What is NOT• Who suffers • Signs• Symptoms• Causes• Examples ( Mother of Zion Syndrome)• Treatments• Helpings myself• Helping others

Explanation…

• There is no EXPLANATION of one specific cause of depression, but the brain structure and chemical imbalance is the reason why one feels depressed. This chemical imbalance can be triggered by traumatic events, such as

• serious loss • chronic illness• financial instability• unwelcomed change throughout one’s life.

• http://healthquestlongbeach.com/library/general_info/depression.html