ANXIETY AND
DEPRESSION
Module C: Lesson 4
A REPORT ON MENTAL ILLNESS
IN CANADA
Anxiety disorders affect 12% of the
population.
Many do not seek treatment because:
Consider
the symptoms mild or normal.
Symptoms interfere with help-seeking
NO weakness associated with seeking help if
one is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or
depressed.
WHAT ARE ANXIETY
DISORDERS?
This is a fear or worry Concern for lack of
causing a person to control over
avoid situations that circumstances.
might precipitate the May generate a solution
anxiety or to develop but usually results in
compulsive rituals. negative thinking.
Most of us experience
May be an illness
Comes out of nowhere, is
anxiety or feel
excessive, persists for
anxious every day. many weeks without
relief or interferes with
everyday life.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Shortness of breath Feel short-tempered
Feelings of unreality and apprehensive,
Shakiness fearing that bad things
Irritability
are about to happen.
Muscle aches and tension
Insomnia
Can cause significant
Tight chest personal and societal
Restlessness costs.
Lost Wages
Racing heart
Sweating and nausea Decreased productivity
Choking sensations Reduced quality of life
Abdominal distress Frequent use of health
Numbness or tingling care services.
TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
GAD (Generalized
Anxiety Disorder)
Specific Phobia
Post Traumatic Stress
Social Phobia
Obsessive Compulsive
Panic Disorder
HOW COMMON ARE ANXIETY
DISORDERS?
Type Canada (15-64 years)
% of Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 1.1
Specific Phobia 6.2 – 8.0
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ---
Social Phobia 6.7
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 1.8
Panic Disorder 0.7
CAUSES
No single explanation for the cause of
anxiety disorders
Inherited tendency
Stressful experiences
Shy temperament
Anxious parents
Unpredictable lifestyle
DEPRESSION
Depression is a mental disorder that affects a
person’s:
Thoughts, moods, feelings, behaviour and physical
health.
Many thought it was just in ones head
Misconceptions of “you can snap out of it”, or “just get over
it”, would cure someone.
It is a medical disorder with a biological and
chemical basis
Genetics or family interaction styles
Stressful life event
Spontaneously with no specific identifiable cause
May occur only once, sporadically or chronically
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Two main symptoms: Other signs and
Lack of interest in symptoms lasting two
normal day living weeks or more are:
Feeling in the dumps Changes in sleep
showing feelings of patterns,
sadness + concentration, weight
helplessness. or eating patterns,
demeanour, self-
Different age groups esteem, and desire to
may react live, gastrointestinal
differently to problems, headache
depression. and backache
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
Major Depression Bipolar Disorder
The Condition in which people
feeling of sad, blue,
unhappy, miserable or go back and forth between
down in the dumps. periods of a very good or
irritable mood and
Dysthymia depression.
Chronictype of The mood swings between
depression. mania and depression are
Adjustment disorder very quick.
Emotionaland
Seasonal Affective
behavioural reaction Disorder
that develops within 3 Episodesof depression
months of a life stress. that occur during certain
times of the year.
ACTIVITY #1
Signs and Symptoms of
Mental Issues
Disorder:
Looks Like: Feels Like:
ACTIVITY #2
Online you will choose a self assessment test in
one of the following categories.
Anxiety Test
Coping Skills Test
Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test
Optimism/Pessimism Test
Resilience Test
Self-Esteem Test
Social Anxiety Test
Once you have chosen an assessment test, in
your journal, write down the test name and
your results. What does it tell you?
ACTIVITY #3
This learning activity will enable you to
become more acquainted with various
mental health issues and some of their signs
and symptoms.
Procedure:
On your own read each scenario and predict the
disability.
You will have 10 minutes to figure out which mental
health issue your scenario describes. You will also
respond to three questions.
ACTIVITY #3 CONT.
From what mental health issue to do think
the person described in the scenario is
suffering? Provide reasons for your decision
(signs, symptoms, and causes)
What advice and assistance would you offer
the person in the scenario? Explain
Which health care professionals would best
be able to help the person? Give reasons
PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Control your feelings through healthy
lifestyle practices can help prevent anxiety.
Deep breathing, relaxation, guided imagery or
visualization, yoga, meditation, and calming self
talk
Physical exercise
Not a cure but its psychological and physical benefits
can improve the symptoms
ACTIVITY #4
Exercises as the Best Preventative Medicine
Research the benefits of exercise and physical
activity for mental-emotional health and present
findings in different ways.
E.g. B – Take deep breaths
E – Exercise
A – Attitude
C – Confidence
T – Time
I – Inactive
V – Vigorous
E - Endorphin