Depression and Anxiety
Diagnosis is made by the presence of 5 or more of the following nearly every day for 2 weeks
- Depressed moood most of the day
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Weight change (either loss or gain
- Anhedonia (inability to feel pressure)
- Suicidal thoughts or plan of suicide
- Worthlessness
- Guilt
- Despair
- Lack of energy
- Inability to concentrate
- Inability to make decision or slow thought process
- Increased or decreased psychomotor activity
Other forms of depression
Dysthymic Disorder: Depressed mood with loss of interest in most activities for at least 2 years. Common in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, and females
Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder: Symptoms similar to major depression 1 week before menstrual period.
Priority Intervention for Depression
For depression (and all mental disorders) always think suicide prevention.
Remove all harmful objects from the client’s reach
Ask sucidal patients “Do you have a plan?”
Again, Suicide Prevention is Priority (and sometimes homicide prevention)
Treatment
Medication and Therapy together is the best treatment
Either one alone is not as effective
Anxiety Disorder
Suicide Risk Factors
- Adolescents and the elderly
- Persons with chronic illness and/or pain
- Alcohol and drug abusers
- Decreased social support
- Previous suicide attempt