Dealing with Depression

1. Dealing with Depression Lesson 11

2. Life Crisis • An experience that causes a high level of stress • Most people respond to life crises by working through a series of 5 emotional responses: • Denying or refusing to believe what is happening • Being angry about what is happening • Bargaining or making promises, hoping to change what is happening • Being depressed when recognizing the outcome is unlikely to change • Accepting what is happening, adjusting, and bouncing back

3. Depression • Symptoms of depression: • deep sadness • apathy • fatigue • agitation • sleep disturbances • weight or appetite changes • lack of concentration • feelings of worthlessness • morbid thoughts

4. Depression • Minor depression is a mood disorder accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or helplessness. • Diagnosed with 2 to 4 of the symptoms that last for at least 2 weeks • May go away or might become chronic • Dysthymic disorder is a long-lasting form of depression • An adult displays 2 or more of the symptoms for the majority of days for 2 or more years • Children and teens display 2 or more symptoms for 1 or more years

5. Depression • Major depression is a mood disorder accompanied by long-lasting feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or helplessness. • Teen is diagnosed if he or she has at least 5 of 9 symptoms that last for at least 2 weeks

6. What causes depression • Inability to cope with a life crisis such as moving to a new neighborhood or breaking up with a boyfriend /girlfriend • Changes in brain structure • Genetic predisposition- the inheritance of genes that increase the likelihood of developing a condition

7. What causes depression cont’d • Low serotonin levels • Serotonin is a chemical that is involved in controlling states of consciousness and mood • Traumatic family events such as parents’ divorce, illness of a family member, or death • Physical illness and disorders • Alcohol and other drug use • Teens who drink alcohol and abuse drugs have much higher rates of depression

8. Being depressed puts teens at risk • School performance • depressed teens have difficulty concentrating at school which affects their ability to memorize, think, and learn • Have difficulty getting motivated to do school work • Have increased absences and poor grades

9. Being depressed puts teens at risk cont’d • Social isolation • Withdraw from friends, stop participating in enjoyable teen activities, difficulty maintaining healthful relationships • Drug addiction • Depend on drugs to escape from problems or change their mood • Other addictions • Teens may depend on certain behaviors to change their mood

10. Being depressed puts teens at risk cont’d • Physical illnesses • Body’s immune system is suppressed and is less able to fight off pathogens • Teens who are depressed are more susceptible to colds and flu • Mental disorders • Depressed teens are more at risk to develop major depression in adulthood • At increased risk for developing other mental disorders • Suicide attempts • Teens who are depressed are at a higher risk of making a suicide attempt

11. Treatment for depression • Types of treatment: • physical examination • Therapy • Cognitive behavior therapy- a form of psychotherapy that involves behavior therapy and cognitive therapy • Medication • Antidepressant is a drug used to relieve depression

12. Strategies for coping with depression • Talk with a parent, guardian, mentor, or other trusted adult • Stay connected with friends • Practice healthful behaviors, such as eating nutritious meals and getting exercise • Use anger management skills • Practice stress management skills • Avoid the use of alcohol and other drugs • Take steps to develop resiliency • Seek treatment if these strategies do not relieve depression

13. Suicide • Suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life • Some teens view suicide as a way to end depression, escape problems, gain attention, or get even with those that have rejected them • Parasuicide- a suicide attempt in which a person does not intend to die • Cluster suicides- a series of suicides occurring within a short period of time and involving people who are connected in some way • Teens may make a pact or agreement • May commit suicide in response to a friend’s suicide

14. Signs of suicide… • Making a direct statement about suicide such as “I wish I was never born” • Making an indirect statement about suicide such as “I wonder where I can get a gun” • Having a change in personality • Withdrawing from contact with family and friends • Losing interest in personal appearance • Being preoccupied with death and dying

15. Signs of suicide cont’d • Using alcohol and other drugs • Losing interest in schoolwork • Giving away possessions • Talking about getting even with others • Failing to recover from a disappointment or a loss • Running away from home • Having a close friend or relative who has committed suicide

16. Suicide • Teens are more likely to attempt suicide if they encounter any of the following experiences: • Abuse of alcohol and other drugs • Death of a parent, parental separation, or parental divorce • Feelings of alienation and rejection • Difficulty coping with body changes and sexuality • Depression • Impulsive and/or aggressive behavior • Mental disorders

17. Getting help for suicide… • Suicide prevention strategies are techniques that can be used to help prevent a person from thinking about, attempting, and completing suicide. • Strategies include: look for warning signs when a teen is depressed, listen without giving advice, take a suicide threat seriously, ask if the teen has a specific plan and means to follow through, do not be sworn to secrecy, call a parent, a guardian, or responsible adult immediately, stay with the teen until professional help arrives

18. Resiliency • It is the ability to adjust, recover, bounce back and learn from difficult times • How to be resilient: • Work on relationships with members of your family • Develop a close relationship with a mentor • Choose friends who are supportive and who have responsible behavior • Do not put off dealing with your feelings when a difficult situation arises • Avoid choosing harmful behaviors as a way of coping with tough times • Ask for support when you need it • Discuss available support groups with a parent, guardian, mentor or other responsible adult • Be involved in school activities • Practice healthful behaviors • Volunteer to help others