Depression

Purdue University Calumet Counseling CenterGyte 05219 989 2366Counseling Center Webpage

Who does it impact? The National Institute for Mental Health

estimates that in the U.S., 16 million adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2012.

That is 6.9% of the population

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression.

Depression is the leading cause of disability.

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.

Emotional Symptoms extreme irritability over minor things

anxiety and restlessness

anger management issues

loss of interest in favorite activities

fixation on the past or on things that have gone wrong

thoughts of death or suicide

Physical Symptoms insomnia or sleeping too much

debilitating fatigue

increased or decreased appetite

weight gain or weight loss

difficulty concentrating or making decisions

unexplained aches and pains

Symptoms In children, depression may cause clinginess and

refusal to go to school. Teens may be excessively negative and begin avoiding friends and activities.

Depression may be difficult to spot in older adults. Unexplained memory loss, sleep problems, or withdrawal may be signs of depression.

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)

Causes and Risk Factors There is no single cause of depression. Brain

chemistry, hormones, and genetics may all play a role. Other risk factors for depression include:

low self-esteem

anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

physical or sexual abuse

Causes and Risk Factors chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple

sclerosis, or cancer

alcohol or drug abuse

certain prescription medications

family history of depression

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? If you, or someone you know has symptoms of

depression, take it seriously. Make an appointment with a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks. It’s important to report all symptoms. A physical examination and blood tests can rule out health problems that can contribute to depression.

Depression Screening website: 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

Treatment Depression is treatable with professional

help

Treatment can include antidepressant medication and psychological counseling.

ComplicationsProlonged or chronic depression can have a devastating impact on your emotional and physical health. Untreated, it may even put your life at risk.

Depression can lead to: alcohol or drug abuse headaches and other chronic aches and pains phobias, panic disorders, anxiety attacks trouble with school or work family and relationship problems social isolation overweight or obesity due to eating disorders, raising the

risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes self-mutilation attempted suicide or suicide

What can you do? Seek professional help (counseling center, mental health

center)

Many places offer free to low-cost therapeutic services

Seek support groups (community, online, friends, family)

Talk about it (with family, friends, community)

Accept that the problem exists

Stay active

Limit alcohol consumption

Increase social activity

Eat a balanced diet, and don’t skip meals

Seek mindfulness classes (can be found free online)

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.

Pietrangelo, A. (2015). Depression and Mental Health by the numbers: Facts, statistics, and you. Healthline.com

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 (continued) 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)

Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Larson, J., & Grayson, C. (1999). Explaining the gender difference in depressive symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 1061-1072