HUMAN BEHAVIOR

AND VICTIMOLOGY
RANDALL LYN B. BLASCO, RCRIM.
SEGMENT 3. DEPRESSION
• Depression is an illness that causes a
person to feel sad and hopeless much of the
time.
• Depression, also known as major depressive
disorder, is a mood disorder that makes you feel
constant sadness or lack of interest in life.
 CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
Things that may trigger depression
include:
a) Major events that create stress, such
as childbirth or a death in the family.
b) Illnesses such as arthritis, heart
disease, or cancer.
c) Certain medicines, such as
steroids or narcotics for pain
relief.
d) Drinking alcohol or using
illegal drugs.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
People who are depressed may:
a) Think and speak more slowly than normal.
b) Have trouble concentrating,
remembering, and making decisions.
c) Have changes in their eating and sleeping
habits.
d) Lose interest in things they enjoyed before
they were depressed.
e) Have feelings of guilt and hopelessness,
wondering if life is worth living.
f) Think a lot about death or suicide.
g) Complain about problems that don’t have a
physical cause, such as headache and
stomachache.
 WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF
DEPRESSION?
1. Major Depressive Disorder- This is also called
major depression. It is characterized by a
combination of symptoms that interfere with
person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and
enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Major
depression is disabling and prevents a person
from functioning normally.
2. Dysthymic Disorder (also referred to as
Dysthymia)- The symptoms do not occur for
more than two months at a time. Generally,
this type of depression is described as
having persistent but less severe depressive
symptoms than major depression. Manifest
nearly constant depressed mood for at least
two (or more) of the following:
a) Decrease or increase in eating;
b) Difficulty in sleeping or increase in
sleeping;
c) Low energy or fatigue
d) Low self-esteem;
e) Difficulty concentrating or making
decisions; and
f) Feeling hopeless.
3. Psychotic Depression- This occurs
when a severe depressive illness is
accompanied by some form of
psychosis, such as break with
reality, hallucinations, and
delusions.
4. Postpartum Depression- This is a major
depressive disorder episode that occurs after
having a baby. A new mother develops a major
depressive episode within one month after
delivery. In rare cases, a woman may have a
severe form of depression called postpartum
psychosis. She may act strangely, see or hear
things that aren’t there, and be a danger to
herself and her baby.
5. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)-
This is characterized by the onset of a
depressive illness during the winter
months, when there is less natural
sunlight. The depression generally
lifts during spring and summer.
6. Bipolar Disorder- This is also called
manic-depressive illness, is not as
common as major depression or
dysthymia. Bipolar disorder is
characterized by cyclical mood
changes- from extreme highs (e.g.
mania) to extreme lows (e.g.
depression)
7. Endogenous Depression- Endogenous means
from within the body. This type of depression is
defined as feeling depressed for no apparent
reason.
8. Situational Depression or Reactive Depression
(also known as Adjustment Disorder with
Depresses Mood)- Depressive symptoms develop
in response to a specific stressful situation or
event (e.g. job loss, relationship ending).
9. Agitated Depression- This kind of major
depressive disorder is characterized by
agitation such as physical and emotional
restlessness, irritability and insomnia,
which is the opposite of many depressed
individuals who have low energy and feel
slowed down physically and mentally
inappropriate social behavior.
 HOW TO BATTLE DEPRESSION?

a. Socializing- eating out, movies, ballgames

with family or friends.
b. Helping others in need- volunteer work,
feeding the homeless. Etc.
c. Praying- works for all moods, especially
depression
THANK YOU AND
GOD BLESS
EVERYONE!