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Depression. Purdue University Calumet Counseling Center Gyte 05 219 989 2366 http://webs.purduecal.edu/counseling/. What are the symptoms?. Depressed mood (feeling sad or empty) most of the day, nearly every day Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed
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Depression Purdue University Calumet Counseling Center Gyte05 219 989 2366 http://webs.purduecal.edu/counseling/
What are the symptoms? • Depressed mood (feeling sad or empty) most of the day, nearly every day • Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed • Significant weight loss or weight gain (change of more than 5% body weight in a month) • Insomnia (trouble sleeping) or hypersomnia(sleeping too much)
Symptoms • Psychomotor agitation (physical and emotional responses sped up) or retardation (physical and emotional responses slowed down) • Fatigue or loss of energy • Feeling worthless or excessive/inappropriate guilt • Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness • Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or having a plan for suicide.
Others may notice depression if you: Consistently making negative statements about themselves -Withdrawing from social involvement -Increasing in irritability or angry outbursts -Losing interest in sexual activity -Begin complaining of frequent headaches, stomachaches, or muscle pain
Who does it affect? • Over 50% of university students report feeling depressed at some point since their freshman year of college • 15% of college students meet the criteria for clinical depression • Women are twice as likely to experience depression as men (though this may be related to gender differences in the way sadness is expressed)
Related Symptoms • Anxiety • Substance abuse
Common Myths • Depression is not a real medical problem. -Extensive research has indicated genuine biological and genetic factors that contribute to the development of depression, not just psychological factors. • Depression can be changed by “positive thinking” if a person is strong enough. -Depression is not something people can “snap out of” with positive thinking, as research shows that it can change brain structure and alter thoughts and perceptions.
Common Myths cont. • Depression will go away on its own. -Without treatment, depression can last for months, years, or worse: it can result in suicide, the 3rd leading cause of death for Americans between 18-24. • Depression only results from traumatic events, such as the death of a loved one. - Sometimes, painful events in life can bring about a depressive episode, but for many people it occurs when everything in life seems to be going smoothly.
How can you know? • Periods of sadness are normal throughout your life, so to help determine the difference: • Depression Screening: http://www.depression-screening.org/depression_screen.cfm • Completely anonymous and confidential • Does not provide a clinical diagnosis, but can give you some idea of whether you (or someone you care about) should seek professional help
What makes depression worse? • Ignoring the problem, denying the problem, or waiting for it to go away • Alcohol • Drugs • Social isolation from friends and family • Poor diet • Poor sleeping habits/schedule
What can you do? • Accept that the problem exists • Stay active • Limit alcohol consumption • Increase social activity • Eat a balanced diet, and don’t skip meals
Help is Available: • Seek professional help. • Contact PUC Counseling Center at 219 989 2366 or come to the office at Gyte 05 • Contact PUC Student Health Service Center at 219 989 1235 or come to the office at Gyte Annex 34
References • American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., Text Revision). Washington, DC: Author. • Fava M, Cassano P. Mood disorders: Major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusette General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 29. • Kessler, R. C., McGonagle, K. A., Zhao, S., Nelson, C. B., Hughes, M., Eshleman, S., Wittchen, H.U., & Kendler, K.S. (1994). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United States. Results from the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 51, 8-19
References (con’t) • Furr, Susan R.; Westefeld, John S.; McConnell, Gaye N.; Jenkins, J. Marshall (2001). Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 32, 97-100. • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ • Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Larson, J., & Grayson, C. (1999). Explaining the gender difference in depressive symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 1061-1072