Depression

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Depression Defined

Depression Clinical depression also known as major depression is a complex illness made up of various factors (genetic predisposition, personality, stress and brain chemistry ( "CAMH," 2013)


Types of depression ( "CAMH," 2013)

  • Seasonal affective disorder: Usually affected by the weather and time of the year.
  • Postpartum depression: Occurs in women following birth of child. Effects 13 percent of women
  • Depression with psychosis:Severe depression that brings about hallucinations (perceptions) or delusions (irrational thoughts)
  • Dysthymia: Mood disorder characterized by mild symptoms of depression (Low mood)


Signs & Symptoms of Depression ("CAMH," 2013)

  • Present most days and lasts most of the day
  • Lasts for more than two weeks
  • Impairs the person’s performance in various environments
  • Changes in appetite and weight
  • Sleep problems
  • Loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed
  • Withdrawal from family members and friends
  • Feeling useless, hopeless, excessively guilty etc.
  • Agitation or feeling slowed down
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble concentrating, remembering and making decisions
  • Crying easily, or feeling like crying but being not able to
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • A loss of touch with reality, hearing voices (hallucinations) or having strange ideas (delusions).

Depression and Special Populations ("CAMH," 2013)


Women 10 to 25 per cent of women—almost twice as many as men. Many hormonal factors play a role in this difference, particularly during times such as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy and postpartum, etc.
Men have higher rate of feeling irritable and anger making it more difficult to diagnosis. Suicide by men 4 times higher than women although greater prevalence of suicide attempts made by women
Older adults It is a common mis-perception that depression is natural in older individuals. This is not true and should be taken into consideration when they do display symptoms of depression
Children Children with depression exhibit it through pretending to be sick, refusing to go school, clinging to a parent, etc. Difficult to determine if behaviour is associated with depression or merely a phase.

Causes and Risk Factors ("CAMH," 2013)

  • Genetics
  • Family history
  • Psychological or emotional disposition
  • Biological factors
  • A major stressor
  • Side effects of drug use may play a part in the onset of depression

Welcome to The Mental Health and Addiction Tutorial ("CAMH," 2013)


The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is pleased to offer you this series of free, quick, easy-to-use online tutorials to introduce you to subjects concerning substance use and mental health problems, as well as factors that are critical to understanding those problems.

http://www.camh.net/education/online_courses_webinars/mha101/depression/Depression.htm

Line Phone: 1-866-531-2600

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