ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Module C: Lesson 4

A REPORT ON MENTAL ILLNESS IN CANADA Anxiety disorders affect 12% of the

population. Many do not seek treatment because:

Consider the symptoms mild or normal.Symptoms interfere with help-seeking

NO weakness associated with seeking help if one is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed.

WHAT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS? This is a fear or

worry causing a person to avoid situations that might precipitate the anxiety or to develop compulsive rituals.

Most of us experience anxiety or feel anxious every day.

Concern for lack of control over circumstances.

May generate a solution but usually results in negative thinking.

May be an illness Comes out of nowhere,

is excessive, persists for many weeks without relief or interferes with everyday life.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Shortness of breath Feelings of unreality Shakiness Irritability Muscle aches and tension Insomnia Tight chest Restlessness Racing heart Sweating and nausea Choking sensations Abdominal distress Numbness or tingling

Feel short-tempered and apprehensive, fearing that bad things are about to happen.

Can cause significant personal and societal costs. Lost Wages Decreased productivity Reduced quality of life Frequent use of health

care services.

TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

Specific Phobia Post Traumatic

Stress Social Phobia Obsessive

Compulsive Panic Disorder

HOW COMMON ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS?

Type Canada (15-64 years)% of Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder 1.1

Specific Phobia 6.2 – 8.0

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ---

Social Phobia 6.7

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 1.8

Panic Disorder 0.7

CAUSES No single explanation for the cause of

anxiety disorders Inherited tendencyStressful experiencesShy temperamentAnxious parentsUnpredictable lifestyle

DEPRESSION Depression is a mental disorder that affects a

person’s: Thoughts, moods, feelings, behaviour and

physical health. Many thought it was just in ones head

Misconceptions of “you can snap out of it”, or “just get over it”, would cure someone.

It is a medical disorder with a biological and chemical basis Genetics or family interaction styles Stressful life event Spontaneously with no specific identifiable cause

May occur only once, sporadically or chronically

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Two main

symptoms: Lack of interest in

normal day living Feeling in the

dumps showing feelings of sadness + helplessness.

Different age groups may react differently to depression.

Other signs and symptoms lasting two weeks or more are: Changes in sleep

patterns, concentration, weight or eating patterns, demeanour, self-esteem, and desire to live, gastrointestinal problems, headache and backache

TYPES OF DEPRESSION Major Depression

The feeling of sad, blue, unhappy, miserable or down in the dumps.

Dysthymia Chronic type of

depression. Adjustment disorder

Emotional and behavioural reaction that develops within 3 months of a life stress.

Bipolar Disorder Condition in which

people go back and forth between periods of a very good or irritable mood and depression.

The mood swings between mania and depression are very quick.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Episodes of depression

that occur during certain times of the year.

ACTIVITY #1

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Issues

Disorder:

Looks Like: Feels Like:

ACTIVITY #2 Online you will choose a self assessment

test in one of the following categories. Anxiety Test Coping Skills Test Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test Optimism/Pessimism Test Resilience Test Self-Esteem Test Social Anxiety Test

Once you have chosen an assessment test, in your journal, write down the test name and your results. What does it tell you?

ACTIVITY #3 This learning activity will enable you to

become more acquainted with various mental health issues and some of their signs and symptoms.Procedure:

On your own read each scenario and predict the disability.

You will have 10 minutes to figure out which mental health issue your scenario describes. You will also respond to three questions.

ACTIVITY #3 CONT. From what mental health issue to do

think the person described in the scenario is suffering? Provide reasons for your decision (signs, symptoms, and causes)

What advice and assistance would you offer the person in the scenario? Explain

Which health care professionals would best be able to help the person? Give reasons

PREVENTION STRATEGIES Control your feelings through healthy

lifestyle practices can help prevent anxiety.Deep breathing, relaxation, guided imagery

or visualization, yoga, meditation, and calming self talk

Physical exercise Not a cure but its psychological and physical

benefits can improve the symptoms

ACTIVITY #4 Exercises as the Best Preventative

MedicineResearch the benefits of exercise and

physical activity for mental-emotional health and present findings in different ways. E.g. B – Take deep breaths

E – Exercise A – Attitude C – Confidence T – Time I – Inactive V – Vigorous E - Endorphin