This document discusses depression, anxiety disorders, and related conditions. It provides information on signs and symptoms of depression, misconceptions about depression, and treatment options including medication and psychotherapy. Generalized anxiety disorder is described along with its signs, symptoms, and treatments of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. Other anxiety-related conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social phobia are briefly outlined.

1. Depression &
Anxiety
Identifying your needs, finding
solutions

2. DEPRESSION
Signs and treatment

3. Depressionsigns
• Feelings of helplessness and
hopelessness or constant pessimism
• Loss of interest in daily activity
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Sleep changes
• Anger, agitation, irritability
• Loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guild
• Reckless behavior (drugs, alcohol,
shopping, gambling)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unexplained aches and pains

4. DepressionMisconceptions
• It is obvious when you are depressed
• If you are not sad, you are not depressed
• If you are depressed, you are sad most of
the time
• If you can work and function, you cannot
be “clinically depressed”
• Medication and psychotherapy are only
for those who are really bad off
• People choose to be depressed
• Depression is a sign of weakness
• You have nothing to be depressed about

5. Depressiontreatment
• First step: Visit a health professional
who may rule out possible causes
which can be treated
• Medications: antidepressants can
work to treat depression. May have
side effects, sometimes serious
(especially in youth)
• Psychotherapy: May help by
teaching new ways to cope
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT):
Although it has had a bad reputation,
methods have improved, and it can
be very helpful to seriously
depressed people

6. Depressionandhelpingothers
What can you do if a loved one is
depressed?
• Offer support, understanding,
patience
• Talk to him and listen carefully
• Do not ignore thoughts about suicide
• Invite them for walks and outings
• Remind them that with time things do
change.
• If there is a crisis, call a doctor, or
911
• National suicide prevention lifeline:
1800273TALK

7. GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER
Signs and treatment

8. GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder(GAD)
What are the signs & symptoms?
• Excessive worrying about everyday things
• Trouble controlling worries
• Know that you worry more than you should
• Not able to relax
• Hard time concentrating
• Easily startled
• Trouble falling asleep (or staying asleep)
• Tired most of the time
• Generalized pain (headaches, muscle, stomach)
• Hard time swallowing
• Tremble and twitch
• Irritable
• Go to the bathroom frequently

9. GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder(GAD)
Treatment for GAD
• Psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral
therapy) teaches a different way of
thinking, behaving and reacting
• Medication: Anti-anxiety medications
and antidepressants. Anti-anxiety
are powerful, and should not be
taken for long periods of time.
Medications may have side effects.

10. OTHER TYPES OF ANXIETY RELATED
DISORDERS
Description and symptoms

11. Othertypesofanxietyrelatedconditions
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder
• Checking and rechecking
• Same routine over and over
• Anxiety over germs, loved ones, etc.
• Can’t control thoughts
• No pleasure from the rituals
Panic Disorders
• Sudden and repeated attacks of fear
• Feeling of being out of control
• Intense worry about next attack
• Fear or avoidance of places where attacks
have occurred
• Physical symptoms (heart, breathing,
weakness)

12. Othertypesofanxietyrelatedconditions Post traumatic Stress Disorder
• Caused by seeing violence, death or
serious illness, war, car accidents,
hurricanes, fires, violent crimes
• Symptoms include bad dreams, flashbacks,
scary thoughts, staying away from certain
places, worries and guilt, feeling alone,
trouble sleeping, feeling on edge, angry
outbursts, thoughts of hurting yourself or
others.
Social phobia
• Anxious about being with people
• Very self-conscious in front of people
• Afraid of being judged
• Worry about situations with others
• Hard time making friends