Facts
Name a key sign of depression?
Sadness, Irritability, Anhedonia, Decreased/Increased Sleep, Guilt, Weight Loss/Gain, Hopelessness
What treatment has an 80-90% effective rate for depression and can be used with pregnant women?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
What are situations that can trigger a depressive episode?
Loss of relationship, loneliness, arguing, and conflict
A natural way to manage depression and increase feelings of happiness is
Exercise
Instead of “cheering up” a depressed person, what can you do?
Ask if there is anything you can do to help
What are some chemical/biological causes of depression?
Medications, Drugs, Alcohol, Environment, Family History
What is an herbal supplement used to treat depression?
St. John's Wort
What are some outward signs of depression?
Withdrawal from others, reduced activity, and poor self-care
Who could you talk to about your feelings of depression
Friends and Family are great place to start. For therapy, counseling, and support groups the below sources are free or affordable:
AmIOK
CAPS (TCNJ Students only)
Depression, Bipolar Support Alliance
How can we encourage our friends with depression to seek help?
Use supporting language to validate their condition. Be supportive of the suggestions made by counselors or their doctors.
What are some behavioral and attitude changes seen in depression.
Inability to concentrate, Neglect of Responsibilities, Indecisiveness, Poor Memory, Apperance
What class of antidepressant drugs require a tyramine-free diet?
MAOI's
What is the cognitive triad?
negative view of the self, negative view of the world, negative view of the future
What are two ways of improving your self-esteem.
Volunteering!
Trenton Soup Kitchen
March of Dimes
Don’t react with anger even though your efforts to help may be resisted or rejected. Instead…
Advocate for their recovery - Emphatically communicate that depression is very treatable.
The most lethal method of suicide is
Firearms
Name the antidepressant that is used for both depression and to stop smoking
Wellbutrin, Zyban (Bupropion HCl)
What are some typical emotions of an individual experiencing depression?
Examples of this cause include sadness, despair, emptiness, and anxiety.
What are benefits of having good coping skills?
Ability to decrease symptoms of depression, better management of depressive emotions, better mood, higher self-esteem, etc...
Don’t insist that depression or sadness is not warranted for their situation. Instead…
Empathize with feelings of sadness, grief, anger and frustration (other feelings will come in time)
What are some other illnesses that also have depression as some of their symptoms?
Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder
What is the most commonly prescribed SSRI for depression?
Zoloft (Sertraline)
What are some physical changes associated with depression
Examples of this cause include poor sleep, low energy, appetite changes, & nervous system changes
What are some additional and technology based resources that are available 24/7
Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
MY3 - Suicide prevention app
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 988 - Text 741741
New Jersey Hope Line: 1-855-654-6735
What therapy is used to help individuals realize that they can influence their mood by identifying and changing their thoughts and beliefs.
Cognitive Therapy