Depression and Stress Management

							  Depression and Stress Management



        Dr Walid Sayed ABDELKADER
Head of Preventive Medicine and Primary Care
                    division
        International Medical Centre
                Cairo – Egypt
                 June 2009
                 imceg.com
             Depression
   What is depression?
   Symptoms of depression.
   Types of depression.
   Causes of depression
   Management of depression
What is depression?

   Depression is a "whole-body"
    illness, involving your body,
    mood, and thoughts. It affects the
    way you eat and sleep, the way
    you feel about yourself, and the
    way you think about things.
Symptoms of depression

   Changes in Thinking
   Changes in feeling
   Changes in Behavior
   Changes in Physical Well-being
Symptoms of depression
   Changes in Thinking
1-you may experience problems with
  concentration and decision making.
2-Some people report difficulty with short term
  memory.
3-some may forget things all the time.
4-Negative thoughts and thinking are
  characteristic of depression.
5-Pessimism
6-Poor self-esteem, excessive guilt and self-
  criticism are all common.
7-Some people have self-destructive thoughts
  during a more serious depression.
    Symptoms of depression
   Change in feeling

1-You may feel sad for no reason at all.
2-No longer enjoy activities that were found
  pleasurable.
3- Might lack motivation, and become more
  apathetic.
4- May feel "slowed down" and tired all the time.
5-Sometimes irritability is a problem.
6- Difficulty in controlling your temper.
7-In the extreme, depression is characterized by
  feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Symptoms of depression
   Changes in Behavior
1-Some people do not feel comfortable with others
2-Social withdrawal is common.
3- Some have experience of a dramatic change in
  appetite, either eating more or less.
4-Some people complain about everything, and act
  out their anger with temper outbursts.
5- Sexual desire may disappear, resulting in lack of
  sexual activity.
6- In the extreme, people may neglect their
  personal appearance, even neglecting basic
  hygiene.
Symptoms of depression:

   Changes in Physical Well-
    being
1-Chronic fatigue
2-Spending more time sleeping, is common.
3-Some people can't sleep, or don't sleep soundly.
4-These individuals lay awake for hours, or awaken many
   times during the night, and stare at the ceiling.
5-Others sleep many hours, even most of the day,
   although they still feel tired.
6- Many people lose their appetite, feel slowed down by
   depression, and complain of many aches and pains.
    Symptoms of depression:

   Sad, empty mood                     Decreased concentration
   Anxious                             Diminished memory
   Hopelessness                        Change in sleeping
   Feeling worthless or helpless        patterns
   Loss of interest in things you      Change in appetite
    once had interest in                Weight loss/gain
   Low sex drive                       Suicidal or morbid
   Decreased energy                     thoughts
   Headaches                           Easily irritated
                                        Digestive disorders
Causes of depression

   Chemical imbalances in the brain
   Run in families
   Low self-esteem
   Environmental factors
   Individual factors
Diagnoses for depression

    determined by:

1.   the intensity of the symptoms.
2.    the duration of the symptoms.
3.    the specific cause of the symptoms, if that
     is known.
Types of depression

   Major depression
   Dysthmic disorder
   Unspecified depression
   Adjustment disorder, with depression
   Bipolar depression
     HOW TO HELP YOURSELF
     IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED
   Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable
    amount of responsibility.
   Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you
    can as you can.
   Try to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better
    than being alone and secretive.
   Participate in activities that may make you feel better.
   Mild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious,
    social, or other activities may help.
   Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better
    takes time.
   It is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has
    lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition—change jobs, get
    married or divorced—discuss it with others who know you well and have
    a more objective view of your situation.
   People rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better
    day-by-day.
   Remember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is
    part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to
    treatment.
   Let your family and friends help you.
Individual Approaches to
Managing Stress
   Exercise :
    People of all ages are walking, riding bicycles,
    attending aerobic classes, practicing yoga,
    swimming, playing tennis.


   Diet :
    Diet plays indirect role in stress management. Foods
    with high sugar content stimulate or prolong the
    stress response and high-cholesterol foods
    adversely affect blood chemistry.
Individual Approaches to
Managing Stress
   Relaxation :
    The relaxation response reverses the stress
    response in the human mind –body system.
    When it is practiced; the individual sits peace-
    fully in a comfortable chair in quiet location.
    All tight clothing is loosened before the person
    becomes completely still. The individual allows 20
    to 30 minutes to pass while he is in this quiet
    state. Once the relaxation period is completed,
    the individual opens his eyes fully and sits
    peacefully for a minute or two before getting up.
    Practitioners of medication and relaxation
    exercises claim that it reduces their heart rates,
    blood pressure and other physiological indicators
    of stress.
Individual Approaches to
Managing Stress
   Opening up :
    We all experience traumatic events in life. A
     healthy response to these moments or
     periods of personal crisis is to confide in
     others.
    Individuals who wrote once a week about
     traumatic events had healthier outlooks and
    lower absenteeism.
Individual Approaches to
Managing Stress
    Professional help:
     Sometimes people have problem coping on
     their own and they seek professional help or
     clinical counseling. People who want this
     kind of help can choose among psychological
     counseling, career counseling, financial and
     family counseling, physical therapy, medical
     treatment, surgical intervention and stress
     debriefing.
     References
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    Depression as an antecedent to heart disease among women and
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