Depression

Recently the CDC reported 6.8% of adults had moderate to severe depression

Depression is when you feel helpless, hopeless, and worthless…feeling this way once for a few hours after losing a job or breaking up can be pretty normal, but when it continues  for days or weeks at a time and your depressed feelings keep you from living life to the fullest it needs to be addressed and therapy is a great option.

Common Symptoms

  • Feeling sad or empty
  • Losing interest in activities that you used to find enjoyable
  • Having a decrease or increase in appetite
  • Having trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much
  • Feeling like you have no energy
  • Having difficulty thinking or concentrating on everyday activities
  • Having thoughts that life isn’t worth living

Treatment at CARE

  • Identifying common patterns of negative thinking and turn it into positive patterns
  • Lean how to reinforce wanted behaviors while eliminating unwanted behaviors
  • Learn skills on how to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships with others

Warning Signs of Suicide

Dangerous or self-harming behavior, including reckless behavior and increased substance use

Changes in attitude or appearance

Making preparations, such as looking up ways to hurt themselves

Giving away personal items

Talking about suicide in person or on social media

Talking about wanting to die or “just not be around anymore”

Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, or in unbearable pain

Talking about feeling like they are a burden to others

Additional Resources

Hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Call **CRISIS** (271-747)

Text MN to 741-741

Websites

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Erika’s Lighthouse (Teen Depression)

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Families for Depression Awareness

COMMON SYMPTOMS

DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN ELDER CARE

  • Neglecting personal care
  • Memory problems
  • Unexplained aches and pains

DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENCE

  • Children 5 and under: Trouble with eating or sleeping, tantrums, tearfulness, tantrums
  • Children 5 and up: Irritability and tantrums, low frustration tolerance, trouble with eating or sleeping, tearfulness
  • Teens: Irritability, social withdrawal from peers or activities, sleeping too much or too little, changes in appetite or eating patterns, low self-esteem, having thoughts of death or of hurting oneself

Common across ages for children and teens:  fatigue, loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy

Common Depression Diagnoses

Major Depressive Episode

This type of depression is characterized by experiencing depression symptoms more days than not during the same two weeks. Major Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe

Seasonal Pattern Disorder…AKA Season Affective Disorder

This type of recurrent depression is experienced in the fall or winter months.

Peripartum or Postpartum

Peripartum depression begins during pregnancy and can continue into postpartum

Postpartum starts after baby arrives…usually within four weeks of delivery

Situational Depression

It is common for people to experience some depression symptoms due to significant events in their lives such as the loss of a loved one, financial stress, or relationship stress.