World Suicide Prevention Day/Week is observed from September 7th to 13th. The document discusses depression, including causes such as family history and chemical imbalances. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest, and changes in behavior. Different types of depression like major depression and seasonal affective disorder are described. Treatment involves medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. The role of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in depression is explained. Seeking help from doctors or crisis hotlines like AASRA is encouraged for those experiencing depression.

3. World Suicide Prevention Day/Week
Sept 10th/7th to 13th Sept

4. Understanding
Depression

5. What causes Depression?
Family History
Having family members who have
depression may increase a person’s
risk
Imbalances of certain chemicals in
the brain may lead to depression

6. Major Life Changes
Positive or negative
events can trigger
depression.
Examples include the
death of a loved one
or a promotion.
Major Illnesses such
as heart attack,
stroke or cancer may
trigger depression.

7. Certain medications used
alone or in combination can
cause side effects much like
the symptoms of depression.
Use of Alcohol or other Drugs
can lead to or worsen
depression.
Depression can also occur for
no apparent reason!

8. Symptoms of Depression
Vary from person to
person
2 key signs are loss of
interest in things you
like to do and sadness
or irritability

10. Additional Signs include:
 Changes in feelings which may include:
 Feeling empty
 Inability to enjoy anything
 Hopelessness
 Loss of sexual desire
 Loss of warm feelings for family or friends
 Feelings of self blame or guilt
 Loss of self esteem
 Inexplicable crying spells, sadness or
irritability

12. Changes in behavior and
attitude
 These may include:
 General slowing down
 Neglect of responsibilities and appearance
 Poor memory
 Inability to concentrate
 Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors
 Difficulty making decisions

13. Physical Complaints
 These may include:
 Sleep disturbances such as
early morning waking, sleeping
too much or insomnia
 Lack of energy
 Loss of appetite
 Weight loss or gain
 Unexplained headaches or
backaches
 Stomachaches, indigestion or
changes in bowl habits

17. Late Life Depression

23. Common Types of Depression
Major Depression
Dysthymia
Bipolar Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD)

24. Major Depression
 This type causes symptoms that may:
 Begin suddenly, possibly triggered by a loss,
crisis or change
 Interfere with normal functioning
 Continue for months or years
 It is possible for a person to have only one
episode of major depression. It is more
common for episodes to be long lasting or to
occur several times during a person’s life

25. Dysthymia
People with this illness are mildly
depressed for years. They function
fairly well on a daily basis but their
relationships suffer over time.

26. Bipolar Disorder
 People with this type of illness change
back and forth between periods of
depression and periods of mania (an
extreme high).
 Symptoms of mania may include:
 Less need for sleep
 Overconfidence
 Racing thoughts
 Reckless behavior
 Increased energy
 Mood changes are usually gradual, but can
be sudden

27. Season Affective Disorder
 This is a depression that results from
changes in the season. Most cases
begin in the fall or winter, or when there
is a decrease in sunlight.

33. The brain uses a number of
chemicals as messengers to
communicate with other parts of
itself and with the nervous system.
These chemical messengers,
called neurotransmitters, are
released and received by the
brain's many nerve cells, which are
also called neurons. Neurons are
constantly communicating with
each other by way of exchanging
neurotransmitters. This
communication system is essential
to all of the brain's functions.

34. Neurotransmitters
 Depression has been linked to problems
or imbalances in the brain with regard to
the neurotransmitters serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine. The
evidence is somewhat indirect on these
points because it is very difficult to
actually measure the level of
neurotransmitter in a person's brain.

35. Serotonin
 The neurotransmitter serotonin is involved in
regulating many important physiological
(body-oriented) functions, including sleep,
aggression, eating, sexual behavior, and
mood. Serotonin is produced by serotonergic
neurons. Current research suggests that a
decrease in the production of serotonin by
these neurons can cause depression in some
people, and more specifically, a mood state
that can cause some people to feel suicidal.

36. Norepinephrine
 In the 1960s, the "catecholamine hypothesis" was a popular
explanation for why people developed depression. This hypothesis
suggested that a deficiency of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine
(also known as noradrenaline) in certain areas of the brain was
responsible for creating depressed mood. More recent research
suggests that there is indeed a subset of depressed people who have
low levels of norepinephrine. For example, autopsy studies show that
people who have experienced multiple depressive episodes have fewer
norepinephrinergic neurons than people who have no depressive
history. However, research results also tell us that not all people
experience mood changes in response to decreased norepinephrine
levels. Some people who are depressed actually show hyperactivity
within the neurons that produce norepinephrine. More current studies
suggest that in some people, low levels of serotonin trigger a drop in
norepinephrine levels, which then leads to depression.


37. Norepinephrine
 Another line of research has investigated linkages
between stress, depression, and norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine helps our bodies to recognize and
respond to stressful situations. Researchers suggest
that people who are vulnerable to depression may
have a norepinephrinergic system that doesn't handle
the effects of stress very efficiently.

38. Dopamine
 The neurotransmitter dopamine is also linked
to depression. Dopamine plays an important
role in regulating our drive to seek out
rewards, as well as our ability to obtain a
sense of pleasure. Low dopamine levels may
in part explain why depressed people don't
derive the same sense of pleasure out of
activities or people that they did before
becoming depressed.

39. New Research-Glutamate
 Recently, another neurotransmitter,
glutamate, has been implicated in
depression as well, but more research
is necessary at this time to determine
the nature of this relationship.


40. Professional treatment is
essential to treat depression.

41. Treatment for Depression
 Medication
 Antidepressants can help ease the
symptoms of depression and return a
person to normal functioning.
Antidepressants are not habit forming.

42. Psychotherapy
 This can help many depressed people
understand themselves and cope with
their problems. For example:
 Interpersonal therapy works to change
relationships that affect depression
 Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people
change negative thinking and behavior
patterns

44. If you or someone you know
has symptoms of
depression…
Take Action!

45.  See a doctor for a complete check up.
 Go to a Counseling Center or talk to
AASRA (91-22-27546669).
 Talk things over with a friend, family
member or anyone who you feel can
listen to you without judgement or
criticism.

46.  Don’t expect too much of yourself
 Take a break
 Get some exercise
 Avoid extra stress and big changes

47. Things to do
 Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol
or drugs
 Exercise or engage in some form of
physical activity
 Eat a proper, well-balanced diet

61. Complementary&Alternative Medicine

62.  Obtain an adequate amount of sleep
 Seek emotional support from family and
friends
 Focus on positive aspects of your life
 Pace yourself, modify your schedule,
and set realistic goals

63. Things to Avoid
 Don’t make long-term commitments or
important decisions unless necessary
 Don’t assume things are hopeless
 Don’t engage in “emotional reasoning” (i.e.:
because I feel awful, my life is terrible)
 Don’t assume responsibility for events which
are outside of your control
 Don’t avoid treatment as a way of coping

64. Intervening with a depressed
friend
 Be empathetic and understanding
 Don’t try to “cheer up” a depressed
person
 Avoid critical or shaming statements
 Challenge expressions of hopelessness
 Empathize with feelings of sadness,
grief, anger and frustration

65.  Don’t argue about how bad things are
 Don’t insist that depression or sadness
are the wrong feelings to be
experiencing
 Don’t become angry even though your
efforts may be resisted or rejected
Helping a depressed friend…

66. Helping a depressed
friend…
 Advocate for their recovery
from depression
 Emphasize that depression is treatable
 Seek consultation
 Encourage them to seek help, go with
them to the counseling center/call
AASRA
 Be supportive of counselor or doctor
suggestions

67. Aasra Crisis Intervention Center
 Helpline (24x7) 91-22-27546669
 FREE!!! FREE!!! FREE!!!
 Confidential & Anonymous
 One time or many times-the choice is
yours.
 Individual, Group and Couples face-to
face interventions on appointments.
 Awareness, Publicity, Outreach ,
Training Workshops, Talks, Advocacy,
Support Groups,Volunteering
 http://www.aasra,info