A HIDDEN AND UNKNOWN ILLNESS CALLED

DEPRESSION

PEDRO GUADIANA

I choose to research Depression because In 1999, little by little, my mother had

these symptoms:She could not sleep.She felt very bad either standing, sitting and

lying.She did no eat and lost too much weight.She could not stand neither light nor

darkness.She could neither laugh nor cry.She stopped to do activities she liked.

I choose to research Depression because

She walked from here to there while her lips and hands were trembling.

Her responses did not make sense with our questions. We asked her about some issues and she responded others or, simply, said “yes” or “no”.

I choose to research Depression because We visited doctors and psychologists,

but we had no solutions …Until we knew doctor Rebecka Jones.

Thanks to her we knew what Depression is. And…

I realized there are many myths and misinformation about this illness.

What depression is

Sadness

Loss

Anger

Furstration

Depression is a disorder of the brain and it is more than just a feeling.

Is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for a longer period of time.

Depression usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and is much more common in women (the double).

Types of Depression

We can suffer major or minor depression in our lives

MAYOR DEPRESSION

MINOR DEPRESSION

•Psychotic•Bipolar•Chronic or Dysthymia•Atypical•Post partum•Seasonal

Causes of Depression Genetic.

Genes that we inherit from our parents determine many things about us such as our gender and the color of our eyes and hair. Our genes also determine which illnesses we may be vulnerable to at some point in our lives.

Research on the heredity of depression within families shows that some individuals are more likely to develop the illness than others. If you have a parent or sibling that has had major depression, you may be 1.5 to 3 times more likely to develop the condition than those who do not have a close relative with the condition.

Causes of Depression Biochemical

The neurotransmitters — chemical messengers that help the brain and other parts of the body communicate — appear to be out of balance. These chemicals help regulate many physiological functions. Lower levels of these neurotransmitters may play a role in why some people are more susceptible to depression.

Untreated depression leads to the atrophy of neurons in the pre-frontal cortex, an area associated with planning, reasoning and decision-making, and socially appropriate manner.

Causes of Depression Environmental/Psychological

The brain is highly malleable and constantly changing in response to its experiences. That’s in part why scientists believe depression is a product of both our genes and our environment. Traumatic life events, such as the loss of a loved one, separation, distressing financial situations, or big changes like a move can all potentially trigger symptoms of depression. Also, include habits and other illness

Causes of Depression

“I am I plus my circumstance.”José Ortega y Gasset

Environmental/PsychologicalOUTSIDE

Macro cosmos

INSIDEMicro cosmos

Symptoms

Emotional Crying easily or for no reason Feeling guilty or worthless Feeling restless, irritated, and easily

annoyed Feeling sad, numb, or hopeless Thinking about death or suicide

Symptoms

Physical symptoms, most of them are extremes Changes in appetite (eating more than usual,

or eating less than usual) Unintended weight loss or gain Sleeping too much or insomnia Losing interest for sex or sexual anxiety Headaches, backaches, or digestive problems Feeling very tired all the time Having trouble paying attention, recalling

things, concentrating, and making decisions

Treatment Medicines

Antidepressants. They help increase the number of chemical messengers (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) in your brain.

Antidepressants work differently for different people. They also have different side effects. So, even if one medicine bothers you or doesn't work for you, another may help. You may notice improvement as soon as 1 week after you start taking the medicine. But you probably won't see the full effects for about 8 to 12 weeks. You may have side effects at first, but they tend to decrease after a couple of weeks. Don't stop taking the medicine without checking with your doctor first.

Treatment Therapy

Guiding patients through a number of structured learning experiences. Patients are taught to monitor and write down their negative thoughts and mental images to recognize the association between their thoughts, feelings, physiology, and behavior

A brief check on mood and symptoms, agenda setting, bridging from the previous session, reviewing homework (self-help assignments that patient does between sessions), discussing issues on agenda, setting new homework, and summarizing and getting feedback form the patient about the session

Treatment Exercise. Regular exercise can

be as effective at treating depression as medication. Not only does exercise boost serotonin, endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals, it triggers the growth of new brain cells and connections, just like antidepressants do. A half-hour daily walk can make a big difference. For maximum results, aim for 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity on most days.

Treatment Nutrition. Eating well is important for both

your physical and mental health. Eating small, well-balanced meals throughout the day will help you keep your energy up and minimize mood swings. While you may be drawn to sugary foods for the quick boost they provide, complex carbohydrates are a better choice. They'll get you going without the all-too-soon sugar crash.

Treatment Sleep. Sleep has a strong effect on mood.

When you don't get enough sleep, your depression symptoms will be worse. Sleep deprivation exacerbates irritability, moodiness, sadness, and fatigue. Make sure you're getting enough sleep each night. Very few people do well on less than 7 hours a night. Aim for somewhere between 7 to 9 hours each night.

Treatment Social support. Strong social networks

reduce isolation, a key risk factor for depression. Keep in regular contact with friends and family, or consider joining a class or group. Volunteering is a wonderful way to get social support and help others while also helping yourself. .