Understanding
Depression, Anxiety
and Suicide prevention
A little about me.
Experience
Background
Education
Current employment
Why talk about depression?
Recent surveys suggest, according to Mental Health America
1 in 5 teens suffers from Clinical Depression
Each year almost 5,000 young people (ages 15-24) commit
suicide
Rate has tripled since 1960 3rd leading cause of death in
adolescents and 2nd leading cause of death among college
age
What is Depression?
Sadness is a normal reaction to lifes struggles, setbacks, and
disappointments.
Depression is different from normal sadness by:
Engulfing your day-to-day life,
Interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and
have fun.
The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.
Common Signs and
Symptoms
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of interest in daily activities
Appetite or weight changes
Sleep changes
Anger or irritability
Loss of energy
Self-loathing
Reckless behavior
Concentration problems
Unexplained aches and pains
Changes in behavior and
thinking
These may include:
General slowing down
Neglect of responsibilities and appearance
Poor memory
Inability to concentrate or think clearly
Suicidal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
Difficulty making decisions
Negative attitude and outlook
Depression in teens
Some appear sad most appear irritable
Poor performance in school
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Anger/rage
Overreaction to criticism
Suicidal thoughts
Poor self-esteem or guilt
Substance abuse or acting out to avoid feelings
Risk factors
Loneliness
Lack of social support
Recent stressful life experience
Family history
Early childhood trauma/abuse
Substance abuse
Health problems or chronic pain
Link between anxiety and
depression
Anxiety and depression are believed to stem from the same
biological vulnerability
Often go hand in hand
Depression can make anxiety worse (and vice/versa)
Important to recognize both conditions
Anxiety
Some anxiety and worry is normal.
These normal amounts of anxiety can actually help you
respond to threats and feel motivated to get things done.
Symptoms of anxiety
Emotional symptoms of anxiety
Feelings of apprehension or dread
Trouble concentrating
Feeling tense and jumpy
Anticipating the worst
Irritability
Restlessness
Watching for signs of danger
Feeling like your minds gone blank
Physical symptoms of anxiety
Pounding heart
Sweating
Stomach upset or dizziness
Frequent urination or diarrhea
Shortness of breath
Tremors and twitches
Muscle tension
Headaches
Fatigue
Insomnia
What is an Anxiety attack?
Surge of overwhelming panic
Feeling of losing control or going crazy
Heart palpitations or chest pain
Feeling like youre going to pass out
Trouble breathing or choking sensation
Hyperventilation
Hot flashes or chills
Trembling or shaking
Nausea or stomach cramps
Feeling detached or unreal
What causes an anxiety
attack?
Playing the what if game negative self talk which sets us up
for failure
Poor self esteem thinking not worthy
Too much pressure to be perfect
Focusing too much on self vs. others
Eating poorly too much caffeine
Not exercising
Full exposure to phobias
Holding in feelings
Questions to ask yourself?
Do you make time each day for yourself?
Are you getting the emotional support that you need?
Are you taking care of your body?
Are you overloaded with responsibility?
Do you ask for help when you need it?
Do you know how to bring your life into balance?
Professional treatment is
recommended for depression and
anxiety.
Treatment
Medication
Antidepressants can help ease the symptoms of
depression and return a person to normal functioning.
Antidepressants are not habit forming.
Therapy/Counseling
This can help many depressed people understand themselves and
cope with their problems.
For example:
Interpersonal therapy works to change relationships that
effect depression
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people change negative
thinking and behavior patterns
Strategies
Challenge negative thoughts
Write down your worries
Create an anxiety worry period
Accept uncertainty
Take care of yourself
Practice relaxation techniques
Adopt healthy eating habits
Exercise regularly
Get enough sleep
Things to Avoid
Dont assume things are hopeless or will never change
Dont engage in emotional reasoning (i.e.: because I feel
awful, my life is terrible)
Dont assume responsibility for events which are outside of
your control
Dont blame yourself for others feelings or behavior
Dont use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate
What about you?
Burns Depression checklist
What do the results mean for you?
Intervening with a
depressed friend
Be empathetic and understanding
Dont try to cheer up a depressed person by minimizing
their concerns
Avoid critical or shaming statements
Empathize with feelings of sadness, grief, anger and
frustration, but
Challenge expressions of hopelessness
Dont argue about how bad things are
Dont insist that depression or sadness are the wrong feelings
to be experiencing
Dont become angry even though your efforts may be resisted
or rejected
Common misconceptions about Suicide
FALSE People who talk about suicide wont really do it
FALSE People who talk about or attempt suicide want to die
FALSE Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy
FALSE If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is
going to stop them
FALSE Talking about suicide may give someone the idea
Suicide warning signs
Talking, writing, or joking about suicide or death
Giving away prized possessions
Making final arrangements
Depressive symptoms
Sudden, unexplained recovery from profound depression
Marked feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
Risk-taking behavior
Self-mutilating behavior (sometimes)
A suicide plan
Significant change in behavior
Previous suicide attempts
Significant loss
Chemical (drug or alcohol) abuse
What NOT to say
This will make you stronger
Time heals all wounds
I know how you feel
It could be worse
It will work itself out
Suicide Intervention Donts
Dont minimize the persons feelings or situation
Dont leave the person alone if they have a plan and/or lethal
means
Dont use reverse psychology with suicidal people
Dont try to be a hero GET HELP!
Dont promise to keep the secret PROMISE HELP!
Dont argue about the right to suicide
How to help
LISTEN
Show empathy and concern
Offer to call or talk to a parent, counselor, or other trusted
adult with them
Encourage them to get ongoing help for their depression
If they are immediately at-risk, call a suicide hotline or 911
I believe each human being has the
potential to change, to transform
ones own attitude, no matter how
difficult the situation.
Dalai Lama
Questions
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