4. What is Depression?
Depression is a serious medical
illness that affects one’s thoughts,
feelings, behavior, mood, and
physical health.
Depression is a life-long condition
in which periods of wellness
alternate with recurrences of
illness.
Any one can experience
depression.
It is possible for an individual to
experience more than one episode
of depression in ones lifetime
5. Symptoms
Difficulty concentrating, remembering
details, and making decisions
Fatigue and decreased energy
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or
helplessness
Feelings of hopelessness and/or
pessimism
Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or
excessive sleeping
6. Symptoms Continued
Irritability
restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or
hobbies once pleasurable, including
sex, overeating or appetite loss
Persistent aches or pains,
headaches, cramps, or digestive
problems that do not ease even with
treatment
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty"
feelings, and thoughts of suicide,
suicide attempts
7. Causes
Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause
depression later in life.
Certain medications. Some drugs, such as Accutane (used to
treat acne), the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and
corticosteroids, can increase your risk of depression.
Conflict. Depression in someone who has the biological
vulnerability to develop depression may result from personal
conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved
one, though natural, may increase the risk of depression.
Genetics. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's
thought that depression is a complex trait that may be inherited
across generations, although the genetics of psychiatric disorders
are not as simple or straightforward as in purely genetic diseases
such as Huntington's chorea or cystic fibrosis.
8. Causes Continued
Major events. Even good events such as
starting a new job, graduating, or getting
married can lead to depression. So can
moving, losing a job or income, getting
divorced, or retiring.
Other personal problems. Problems such
as social isolation due to other mental
illnesses or being cast out of a family or
social group can lead to depression.
Serious illnesses. Sometimes depression
co-exists with a major illness or is a
reaction to the illness.
Substance abuse. Nearly 30% of people
with substance abuse problems also have
major or clinical depression.
9. Female Symptoms
Persistent sad, anxious, or
"empty" mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in
activities, including sex
Restlessness, irritability, or
excessive crying
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness,
helplessness, hopelessness,
pessimism
Sleeping too much or too
little, early-morning waking
• Appetite and/or weight loss
or overeating and weight
gain
• Decreased energy, fatigue,
feeling "slowed down“
• Thoughts of death or
suicide, or suicide attempts
• Difficulty concentrating,
remembering, or making
decisions
• Persistent physical
symptoms that do not
respond to treatment
10. Female Causes
The risk of depression in women include reproductive, genetic, or other
biological factors; interpersonal factors; and certain psychological and
personality characteristics
11. FemaleTreatment
Medications such as antidepressants, brain stimulation
techniques like ECT, and psychotherapy.
Some females that experience depression find family
therapy to be helpful when family stress adds to her
depression.
12. Male Symptoms
The three most common signs of depression in men are:
physical pain, anger, and reckless behavior.
Pain-backache, frequent headaches, sleep problems,
sexual dysfunction, or digestive disorders
Anger-irritability, sensitivity to criticism, or a loss of ones
sense of humor, a short temper, or even violence. Some
men become abusive, controlling, verbally or physically
abusive to wives, children, or other loved ones
Reckless behavior-pursuing dangerous sports, or driving
recklessly. One might drink too much, abuse drugs, or
gamble compulsively
13. Male Causes
Biological, psychological, and social factors can all play a
part, as can lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping
skills. Stressful life events or anything else that a man
experiences that makes him feel useless, helpless, alone,
profoundly sad, or overwhelmed by stress can also trigger
depression in men
14. MaleTreatment
Most men that suffer from depression respond positively
to treatments such as lifestyle changes, social support,
therapy, or medication—or a combination of those types
of treatments
17. Depression is Individual
Men tend to have similar symptoms with other males
Women tend to have similar symptoms with other
females.
Its not always the case
