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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
Ascending Pathway
Ascending Pathway
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
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
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
Do not be discouragedevery woman who suffers from postnatal illness DOES RECOVER IN TIME!!
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.