Understanding Depression

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What causes Depression?■ Family History

■ Having a family members who has depression may increase a person’s risk

■ Imbalances of certain chemicals in the brain may lead to depression

■ Major Life Changes

■ Positive or negative events can trigger depression. Examples include the death of a loved one or a promotion.

■ Major Illnesses such as heart attack, stroke or cancer may trigger depression.

■ Certain medications used alone or in combination can cause side effects much like the symptoms of depression.

■ Use of Alcohol or other Drugs can lead to or worsen depression.

■ Depression can also occur for no apparent reason!

Symptoms of Depression

■ Vary from person to person

■ 2 key signs are loss of interest in things you like to do and sadness or irritabilit

Additional Signs include:

■ Changes in feelings which may include:■ Feeling empty■ Inability to enjoy anything■ Hopelessness■ Loss of sexual desire■ Loss of warm feelings for family or friends■ Feelings of self blame or guilt■ Loss of self esteem■ Inexplicable crying spells, sadness or

irritability

Changes in behavior and attitude■ These may include:

■ General slowing down■ Neglect of responsibilities and appearance■ Poor memory■ Inability to concentrate■ Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors■ Difficulty making decisions

Physical Complaints■ These may include:

■ Sleep disturbances such as early morning waking, sleeping too much or insomnia

■ Lack of energy■ Loss of appetite■ Weight loss or gain■ Unexplained headaches or

backaches■ Stomachaches, indigestion or

changes in bowl habits

Common Types of Depression

■ Major Depression■ Dysthymia■ Bipolar Disorder■ Seasonal Affective Disorder

(SAD)

Major Depression

■ This type causes symptoms that may:■ Begin suddenly, possibly triggered by a loss,

crisis or change■ Interfere with normal functioning■ Continue for months or years■ It is possible for a person to have only one

episode of major depression. It is more common for episodes to be long lasting or to occur several times during a person’s life

Treatment for Depression

■ Medication■ Antidepressants can help ease the

symptoms of depression and return a person to normal functioning. Antidepressants are not habit forming.

Psychotherapy■ This can help many depressed people

understand themselves and cope with their problems. For example:■ Interpersonal therapy works to change

relationships that affect depression■ Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people

change negative thinking and behavior patterns

How Do I Feel about having depression?● All of my motivation and joy

is dead. But everyone keeps telling me that just need to “cheer up”

It is like being told that I will find my pet fish again, but they aren’t lost, they are gone

And I do try to “Find” it again, but the things that used to bring my joy no longer bring me joy

I can’t just will my emotions to come back; if I could get them back, I would

I try reaching out to my family about this, but they don’t seem to respond

What is worse, when I suggest getting professional help, my family and friends laugh it off as “unnecessary”

Meanwhile, my brain continues to create hate towards anything that could cause me joy

I finally decided to get professional help because the pain was too unbearable

Now everything is okay if I go to my psychologist and take my medicines and stay on track