Mood Disorders (Depression)

What is Depression?

Depression is a clinical term used to describe a long period of time when a person feels very sad or irritable to the point of feeling worthless, hopeless, and helpless, with a loss of the ability to enjoy life. Depression can affect all aspects of life; for example, school, social, or family pressures may become too much to handle.

Depression may be caused by such things as stress, loss, disappointment, or a chemical imbalance in your body. Sometimes, there is no known reason.

Children and youth who are considered at risk for depression include:

children with a family history of depression
children with medical problems
children who have experienced a trauma (e.g., abuse, witness violence)
incarcerated youth
pregnant youth

What are the signs?

Some signs of depression include:

sadness or crying more than usual
loss of interest or lack of motivation
irritability or rage
social isolation or withdrawal from friends
sleeping problems
change in appetite
change in school performance
fatigue
decreased concentration
alcohol or drug abuse
negative self statements (e.g., “I’m stupid”)
suicidal statements

What can you do if you think someone may be depressed? Talk…

don’t ignore the depression
show you care
ask about his/her feelings
show it is OK to talk about it
check with other professionals (e.g., family doctor, teachers, school counselors, crisis lines)

What is Bipolar? (Also referred to as Manic Depression)

Bipolar disorder is a medical condition that involves changes in brain function that result in dramatic mood swings – intense highs followed by devastating lows. When these symptoms become moderate to severe and negatively affect the ability to function at home, at work or at school, The condition is called manic depression or bipolar disorder. It is not known what causes bipolar but research shows that genetics may play a strong role. Effective treatment is often a combination of several things – from medication to education, psychotherapy and family support.

What are the signs?

In the manic phase, the person experiences or displays some of the following:

Little or no sleep
Very talkative
Difficult to follow the person’s thinking
Highly distractible
Psychomotor agitation
Inflated sense of power and greatness
Engaging in reckless behaviours – impulsive spending or inappropriate sexual activity
Psychotic symptoms – hearing and seeing things that are not there

In the depressive phase, the person experiences some of the following:

Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities
Interrupted or excessive sleep
Changes in appetite with weight loss or gain
Multiple physical aches and pains with no known cause
Difficulty with memory and concentration

What can I do?

Seek medical attention from your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. A doctor will be able to work with you to develop the most appropriate form of treatment.
Visit your local community health centre. For community health centres in your region, contact your local Regional Health Authority.
Talk to family and friends.
Educate yourself – understand the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Sources:

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2001). Children and depression. http://www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/cmha/00000004.htm

Healthy Place.com. Depression in school-age children and adolescents: Characteristics, assessment, and prevention. http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/depression/children.asp

Mood Disorders Society of Canada. Common signs & symptoms of bipolar disorder. www.mooddisoderscanada.ca/bipolar/symptoms.htm

Mood Disorders Society of Canada. What is Bipolar Disorder? www.mooddisorderscanada.ca/bipolar/BipolarENG.pdf

SPEAK – Suicide Prevention Education Awareness Knowledge. Depression: Treat it as if your life depended on it: A youth’s guide to suicide prevention. Pamphlet.

For more information about Healthy Schools, please contact:

Healthy Schools
Phone: (204) 788-6620
Email: healthyschools@gov.mb.ca

Manitoba Healthy Schools