Depression

INTRODUCTION
 Depression is likely the oldest and still
one of the most frequently diagnosed
psychiatric illnesses

A feeling of sadness or downheartedness,

is common among healthy people and
considered to be a normal response to
everyday disappointments in life.
DEFINITION
 An alteration in mood that is
expressed by feelings of
sadness, despair, and
pessimism. There is a loss
of interest in usual
activities, and somatic
symptoms may be evident.
Changes in appetite and
sleep patterns are common.
ETIOLOGY
 GENETIC FACTOR

 Havinga family
members who has
depression may increase
a person’s risk.
 Certainmedications 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.
Types of Depression
 symptoms that last for at least two weeks in a
row,
 sad and/or irritable mood , interfere with the
ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once-
pleasurable activities. Difficulties in sleeping
or eating can take the form of excessive or
insufficient of either behavior.
 Disabling episodes of depression can occur
once, twice, or several times in a lifetime.
 It involves long-term
(chronic) symptoms
that do not disable
but yet prevent the
affected person from
functioning at "full
steam" or from
feeling good. 
 Bipolar disorder is characterized by
cycling mood changes: severe highs
(mania) and lows (depression), often with
periods of normal mood in between
 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.
 Helplessness
 Hopelessness
 Worthlessness
 Persistently sad, anxious,
angry, irritable, or "empty" mood
 Loss of interest or pleasure in
hobbies and activities that were
once enjoyed, including sex
 Social isolation
 Insomnia,or oversleeping
 Decreased appetite
 Weight loss
 Fatigue
 Crying spells
 Difficulty in concentrating
 Recurrent
thoughts of death
 Professional treatment is
necessary for all these types
of depression.
1.MEDICATION
 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs):-Citalopram
Fluoxetine
 Tricyclic antidepressant
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine ,
 MAO inhibitors.
- Phenelzine
ELECTROCONVULSIVE
THERAPY (ECT)
 an electric current is passed
through the brain to produce
controlled convulsions
(seizures). ECT is useful for
certain patients, particularly for
those who cannot take or have
not responded to a number of
antidepressants, have severe
depression, and/or are at a
high risk for suicide
Psychotherapy
 This can help many depressed people
understand themselves and cope with
their problems. For example:
 Individual therapy
 Group therapy
 Behavioral therapy
NURSING MANAGEMENT
 1.RISK FOR SUICIDE
 RELATED TO: Depressed mood, feelings of
worthlessness, anger turned inward on the
self, misinterpretations of reality.

 2.DYSFUNCTIONAL GRIEVING
RELATED TO: Real or perceived loss,
bereavement overload
EVIDENCED BY: Denial of loss,
inappropriate expression of anger,
idealization of or obsession with lost object,
inability to carry out activities of daily living .
 3.LOW SELF-ESTEEM
RELATED TO: Learned helplessness, feelings
of abandonment by significant other, impaired
cognition fostering negative view of self.
 4.POWERLESSNESS
RELATED TO: Dysfunctional grieving
process, lifestyle of helplessness
 5.HOPELESSNESS
RELATED TO: Absence of support systems
and perception of worthlessness.
INTERVENTION
If you or someone you know
has symptoms of
depression…

Take Action!
 See a doctor for a complete check up.

 Go to the counseling center and talk to

a counselor.
 Talk things over with a friend, family
member or a residential life staff
member.
 Don’t expect too much of yourself
 Take a break
 Get some exercise
 Avoid extra stress and big changes
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
 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
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
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
Helping a depressed friend…

 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…
 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
 Be supportive of counselor or doctor
suggestions