rachbeisel

7/30/2019 rachbeisel

1/26

DEPRESSION:Understanding it and getting help

* General Information

* How to recognize Depression

* Treatment Options* Special Populations


2/26

Who suffers from Depression?

Depression can effect anyone but thereis 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 mentalhealth problem for at least 2 weeks ayear.


3/26

Who suffers from depression?

2% of Children get depressed

6-8% of Teenagers

1999 survey- reported that1 of every 10

American high school students reported

making a suicide attempt the year before.

Teenage boys are more likely than girls tokill themselves.

Look for a change in behavior or

performance in school


4/26

What is Depression?

Depression is an illness that involves

the body, mood and thoughts

It impacts the way a person functionssocially, at work, and in relationships.

It is more than feeling blue, down in the

dumps or sad about a particular issue orsituation.

It is a medical condition that requires

diagnosis and treatment


5/26

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 cant Pull yourself up by your

bootstraps.


6/26

What Depression IS:

TREATABLE

No matter what the cause of a

persons depression, there is

treatment and it is widely available!!


7/26

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


8/26

Symptoms of Depression

FIVE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING

FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS:

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


9/26

Symptoms of Depression

Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or

worthlessness

Inability to concentrate, remember things or

make decisions

Constant fatigue or loss of energy

Restlessness or decreased activity

Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death


10/26

Treatment for Depression:

Approximately 80% of people who receive

treatment for Depression improve.

There are three types of treatment:

Psychotherapy

Medication Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)


11/26

Psychotherapy: What is it?

Psychotherapy is a form of talking

therapy that works by helping a person

gain an understanding or insight intotheir problems and work on solving

them.

Behavioral psychotherapy is a type oftherapy that looks at patterns of

behavior that may contribute to

depression.


12/26

Medication for Depression:

Antidepressant Medication helps by

affecting the brain chemistry.

Often take 3-5 weeks to become fullyeffective, but improvement is often

experienced within the first week.

Work well and are safe

They are Non-habit forming!


13/26

Electroconvulsive Therapy

(ECT) ECT is safer than medications for many

Faster acting than most medications

Can be done on an Out Patient basis Can be used in combination with medication

Is used in life threatening situations to

achieve fast relief Can be a one time course or can be used as

maintenance therapy for those who remain

medication resistant


14/26

ECT: How is it done?

ECT is a painless procedure

A person is put to sleep with general

anesthesia Muscle relaxers are used to prevent any

injury from the procedure

Oxygen is given by mask during ECT

The whole treatment takes 5 minutes

You are awake, up walking and eating

breakfast with one hour. Home within two!


15/26

Depression in women

Women are at a much greaterincreased risk of Depression:

At times of hormone swings-premenstrual

3%-8% of women have PremenstrualDysphoric Disorder during reproductive years

Postpartum period

15-20% of women have depression after

delivery

Menopause

Going into puberty

Following a miscarriage (within one month)


16/26

Postpartum Depression

15% of women report depression within

three months of delivery

Women with a prior history ofdepression are at greater risk

Postpartum blues or baby blues is

normal mild feeling of being down, tearful

lasts for only a day or so


17/26

Postpartum Psychosis

A complication of either a PostpartumDepression or Bipolar disorder that has

a sudden onset and is a psychiatric

emergency Characterized by hallucinations or

delusional beliefs about the infant.

The infant and mother must beprotected and treated immediately!

Increased risk in subsequent

pregnancies


18/26

Treatment for Postpartum

Depression Psychotherapy is very important

Medication

Breastfeeding is not contraindicated!


19/26

What should SHE do:

Rest, rest and more rest! Tiredness can lead

to exhaustion which in turn can cause

worsening depression

Resist the temptation for rush around andcatch up with housework while the baby is

asleep.take a nap yourself!

Eat regularly..gentle exercisetalk about

your worries

Avoid major stresses at this time

Dont be too hard on yourself


20/26

What should She do Cont.:

GET TREATMENT!!!!!!!

Medications and psychotherapy

Do not be discouragedevery woman who

suffers from postnatal illness

DOES RECOVER IN TIME!!


21/26

What can HE do?

BE PATIENT!

Dont try to reasondepression defies logic.

Let her express her true feelings and treatthem with sympathy

Dont force her to do anything she isnt ready

for

Try to go out as a couple without the children.

Dont ignore your own feelings- Ask for help

too!


22/26

What can a loved one do for

someone who is depressed?

Listen and provide support

Be patient, understanding and encouraging Dont dismiss the symptoms but you can offer

hope

Try to understand the negative feelings the person

may be feeling Remember that depression is a medical condition


23/26

What you can do Continued:

Take care of the little things

Remind your loved one to keep doctorsappointments and to take their medication!

Help to support healthy habits: good sleepinghabits, eating well, trying to get exercise

Urge your loved one to postpone major lifedecisions such as changing jobs, divorce,

marriage or moving until his or herdepression is better


24/26

What you can do Continued:

Suicide threats are to be taken seriously!

Take care of your self Remember:

Depression is a very treatable illness, and

you or your loved one can get better withappropriate medical treatment and support!


25/26

Other special populations:

Elderly- Our Senior Citizens!

Increased feelings of isolation & support

Medically Ill- Depression is often eithera symptom or as a result of a serious or

chronic medical problem

treatment improves quality of life!

Those persons with Addictions-

If the depression is treated, the addiction

can be treated also.


26/26

Where to get help?

If it is an EMERGENCY.go to your

nearest Emergency Room

If it is Urgent Psych Urgent Care at UMMS 328-1219

If it can be a regularly scheduled

appointment: Call 410-328-6231- Community Mental

Health Programs

rachbeisel

Documents

Transcript of rachbeisel