M O O D D IS O R D ER S

M ood D isorders
Depressive Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Dysthymic Disorder

Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar II Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder

D epression: It's N ot Just in Your

H ead

How intense the mood is:

Depression is more intense

than a simple "bad mood."
How long the mood lasts: A
bad mood is usually gone in
a few days, but depression
lasts two weeks or longer.

D epression: It's N ot Just in Your

H ead
How much it interferes with your life:

A bad mood doesn't keep you from

going to work or school or spending
time with friends. Depression can
keep you from doing these things
and may even make it difficult to get
out of bed.

D epression: It's N ot Just in Your H ead

Everyone, at various times in life,

feels sad or blue. It's normal to

feel sad on occasion. Sometimes,
sadness is a result of things that
happen in your life: for example,
you move to a different city and
leave friends behind...you lose
your job...or a loved one dies.

D epression: It's N ot Just in Your H ead

But what's the difference

between "normal" feelings

of sadness and the feelings
caused by depression?

 While it's normal for people

to experience ups and downs

during their lives, those living
with depression experience
specific symptoms daily for
two weeks or more, making it
difficult to function at work,
at school or in relationships.

 Depression is a treatable illness

marked by changes in mood,

thought and behavior. It affects
people of all ages, races, ethnic
groups and social classes.
Although it can occur at any
age, the illness often surfaces
between the ages of 25 and 44.

 The "lifetime prevalence" of

depression is 24 percent for women

and 15 percent for men. This means
that, at some point in their lives, 24
percent of women and 15 percent of
men will experience an episode of
major depression.

M ood Sym ptom s ofD epression

persistent sad, depressed mood
loss of interest or pleasure in

previously enjoyable activities

DSM-IV criteria specify that person
must have 1 of above plus 4
additional sx for at least 2 weeks

PhysicalSym ptom s of
D epression
Sleep disturbance
too much or too little

loss of energy, fatigue

appetite disturbance/weight change
loss of appetite or increase in appetite

changes in activity level

psychomotor retardation or agitation

Cognitive Sym ptom s of

D epression
difficulty concentrating, thinking, and

making decisions
feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or
hopelessness
recurrent thoughts of death or
suicide

Cause

Stressful life events

Serious illnesses
Loss of a loved one
Relationship
problems
Social isolation
Substance abuse

Prevention Tips
Regular exercise
Balanced diet
Avoid alcohol and drug

Dont live in
Seattle!

use
Healthy sleep patterns
Stress management
Social Support

Care giving tips for the N AC

1. Understand Depression
2. Appropriate Depression

Treatment
3. Emotional Support
4. Separate the Illness and
the Person
5. Listen Non-Judgmentally
6. Make a Plan for Coping
with Depression
7. Look After Yourself