Depression

Radwan Banimustafa MD

What is Depression?
Depression is an illness that involves the
body, mood and thoughts
It impacts the way a person functions
socially, at work, and in relationships.
It is more than feeling blue, down in the
dumps or sad about a particular issue or
situation.
It is a medical condition that requires
diagnosis and treatment

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
Out of It.

Snap

You cant Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

Who suffers from Depression?

Depression can effect anyone but there
is 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 mental
health problem for at least 2 weeks a
year.

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 to kill
themselves.
Look for a change in behavior or performance
in school

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

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

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

What Depression IS:

TREATABLE
No matter what the cause of a
persons depression, there is
treatment and it is widely available!!

Treatment for Depression:

Approximately 80% of people who receive
treatment for Depression improve.
There are three types of treatment:
Psychotherapy
Medication
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Psychotherapy: What is it?

Psychotherapy is a form of talking
therapy that works by helping a person
gain an understanding or insight into their
problems and work on solving them.
Behavioral psychotherapy is a type of
therapy that looks at patterns of behavior
that may contribute to depression.

Medication for Depression:

Antidepressant Medication helps by
affecting the brain chemistry.
Often take 3-5 weeks to become fully
effective, but improvement is often
experienced within the first week.
Work well and are safe
They are Non-habit forming!

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

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!

Depression in women
Women are at a much greater increased
risk of Depression:
At times of hormone swings-premenstrual
3%-8% of women have Premenstrual Dysphoric
Disorder during reproductive years

Postpartum period
15-20% of women have depression after delivery

Menopause
Going into puberty
Following a miscarriage (within one month)

Postpartum Depression
15% of women report depression within
three months of delivery
Women with a prior history of depression
are at greater risk
Postpartum blues or baby blues is
normal
mild feeling of being down, tearful
lasts for only a day or so

Postpartum Psychosis
A complication of either a Postpartum
Depression 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 be protected and
treated immediately!
Increased risk in subsequent pregnancies

Treatment for Postpartum

Depression
Psychotherapy is very important
Medication
Breastfeeding is not contraindicated!

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 and catch 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

What should She do Cont.:

GET TREATMENT!!!!!!!
Medications and psychotherapy

Do not be discouragedevery woman who

suffers from postnatal illness
DOES RECOVER IN TIME!!

What can HE do?

BE PATIENT!
Dont try to reasondepression defies logic.
Let her express her true feelings and treat them
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!

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

What you can do Continued:

Take care of the little things
Remind your loved one to keep doctors
appointments and to take their medication!
Help to support healthy habits: good sleeping
habits, eating well, trying to get exercise
Urge your loved one to postpone major life
decisions such as changing jobs, divorce,
marriage or moving until his or her
depression is better

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 with
appropriate medical treatment and support!

Other special populations:

Elderly- Our Senior Citizens!
Increased feelings of isolation & support

Medically Ill- Depression is often either a

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.

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