Symptoms
A symptom of depression is a persistently ____ mood.
SAD, DEPRESSED, or UNHAPPY
Give the name of one antidepressant.
PROZAK, ZOLOFT, PAXIL, CELEXA, LEXAPRO, LUVOX, EFFEXOR, CYMBALTA, WELLBUTRIN, ELAVIL, LIMBITROL, NORPRAMIN, SINEQUAN, TOFRANIL, PAMELOR, AVENTYL, VIVACTIL, NARDIL, MARPLAN, or PARNATE.
True or False: All mental health medications work equally well for everyone.
FALSE. Some mental health medications will be more effective for you than others, and one that works well for you may not be helpful for a friend or family member. It’s often a process of trial and error to find the most effective medication for your unique needs.
A natural way to get in shape and increase feelings of happiness is to ____.
EXERCISE
If these people have a history of depression, you are put at a higher risk for depression.
FAMILY MEMBERS
Name 2 symptoms of withdrawal.
SWEATING, GOOSEBUMPS, VOMITING, ANXIETY, INSOMNIA, or MUSCLE PAIN
This medication was the drug of choice for the treatment of mania in bipolar disorder
LITHIUM
TRUE or FALSE: Mental health medications do not cure mental illness.
TRUE. Science is not at the point where we can find a single “cure” to mental illnesses. Medication does not completely erase mental health issues once and for all. However, medications can be EXTREMELY helpful in reducing or managing distressing symptoms related to a mental health condition. Medication paired with therapy has also been proven to be extremely helpful.
Who could you talk to about your feelings of depression/addiction/schizophrenia and other mental health problems.
FAMILY, CLOSE FRIEND, COUNSELOR, SOCIAL WORKER, SPONSOR, DOCTOR, THERAPIST, TEACHER, ETC.
A cause of depression is an imbalance in ____.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS or IMBALANCED CHEMICALS IN BRAIN.
This symptom occurs when you stop liking your favorite hobby/activity.
LACK OF INTEREST /PLEASURE
Name 2 benefits of taking medication as prescribed.
HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE, BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE, ETC.
True or False? If you think you no longer need to take your medications or feel they aren’t working properly, just stop taking them.
FALSE. Many medications for mental health conditions can have unpleasant and dramatic side effects if stopped too suddenly. The dosage of many medications will need to be slowly decreased while under the supervision of your prescriber before you can stop taking them. NEVER go “cold turkey” and just stop taking your medications.
What are 2 ways of improving your self-esteem?
LEARNING NEW SKILLS, NEW INTERESTS/ACTIVITIES, WRITING, SAYING GOOD THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF, ETC.
Name 2 major life events that may cause a person to have depression.
DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, MAJOR LOSS OR CHANGE, CHRONIC STRESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, VICTIM OF ABUSE.
Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the sudden disruption or discontinuation of a drug that has has a physical dependence
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOM
How long does it take for antidepressants to start having an effect?
2 - 4 weeks
True or False? All mental health medications have “side effects.” No medication is completely “safe.”
TRUE. Every medication can cause side effects, and information about common (and less common) side effects is routinely provided in the drug information provided by your pharmacist, or it can be easily found online. Take time to review this information carefully and make sure to let your prescriber know if uncomfortable side effects begin to emerge.
What are benefits of having good coping skills?
ABILITY TO DECREASE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION OR CRAVINGS, BETTER MANAGEMENT OF EMOTIONS, A BETTER MOOD, OR HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM, ETC.
Name one of the three neurotransmitters involved with depression.
NOREPINEPHRINE, SEROTONIN, or DOPAMINE.