Depression is defined as persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest that can be accompanied by physical symptoms. According to New Zealand statistics, 1 in 7 people experience depression before age 24. Depression has multiple potential causes, including genetics, life experiences, medical conditions, and brain chemistry. Treatments include medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Cyberbullying differs from traditional bullying in its use of technology to harass victims, and can have severe psychological effects depending on factors like age and culture.

1. Depression & CyberBullying
A BRIEF SNAPSHOT

2. Depression
 It is often defined by those experiencing it as just not feeling right, not being your
usual self, not wanting to be with the people you care about
 It can also be accompanied by outbursts of tears or temper with little
understanding as to why one feels like they do
 It is persistent, on-going
 It can also be accompanied by disturbed sleep patterns, weight problems,
concentration problems, self-harm and suicidal thoughts
 There are differing types of depression

3. Depression – the NZ facts
 1 in 7 will experience depression before they are 24
 1 in 8 men
 1 in 5 women
 1 in 5 people will experience depression and anxiety at the same time
 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety
(Ministry of Health, cited in Health Promotion Agency, 2017)
www.depression.org.nz

4. Depression – the causes
 More than a chemical imbalance in the brain
 Smaller hippocampus, development of neurons/nerves
 Production of neurotransmitters in the brain
 Memory (Acetylcholine)
 Sleep, appetite, mood, pain (Serotonin)
 Blood pressure, motivation, reward (Norepinephrine)
 Movement, motivation, reward (Dopamine)
 Excitement (Glutamate)
 Inhibitions (Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA))
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qS83wD29PY
 Basically your brain is a electro-chemical highway – when the wrong vehicles are on the road, you feel the effects
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOK1tKFFIQI

5. Depression – the Causes
 Genes – the short version of the serotonin-transporter gene (5-HTT), stress
hormones
 Temperament – whether you are the type to withdrawal/how you see the world
 Life events – the way your body reacts to stress, early experiences of loss/trauma
 Seasonal Affective Disorder (1-2% of population)
 Medical problems – neurological conditions, nutritional deficiencies (B12), thyroid
problems and so forth
 Medications

6. Treating Depression
 Medications
 Talking therapies
 Counselling
 Bibliotherapy –self-help resources
 Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy
 Psychotherapy
 Problem-Solving Therapy
 Complementary Medicines – St John’s Wort, Omega 3 Fish Oil
 Traditional Medicine – Ronga Maori (herbal, physical, spiritual)

7. Key Resources
 https://depression.org.nz/
 https://thelowdown.co.nz/
 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
 https://www.leva.co.nz/
 http://www.hpa.org.nz/

8. Let’s reflect
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eloUUm2IUMU
 Now, get a little bit metal

9. Cyberbullying
 What is it?
 How does it differ to traditional bullying?
 What are the effects?
 Does it differ between boys, girls, different cultures, ages etc?

10. Now build upon all
your answers with the
MD Approach
and the theories of
YD5101

11. Seeing it in action
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ovR3FF_6us&feature=youtu.be&list=FLdv8d
omEzeDFPchhXk56V4w

12. Key resource for practitioners
 https://www.netsafe.org.nz/
 http://au.reachout.com/
 All the other resources