2. Fact file
Read the following fact file to learn about depression. Once you’re done, it’s time to test yourself.
Cover up the table, leaving the headings popping out & see if you can repeat aloud some of the main bolded points you have just learnt.
| What is depression? | What are the symptoms of depression? | How can we manage unhelpful depression? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Most people feel low occasionally. This is a normal reaction to events that are stressful or upsetting. It is even more common for teenagers to be affected by a range of moods. | 1. Depression can affect us in a number of different ways. Some people might have just a few of the symptoms whilst others might have several. It’s important to get a professional to make the diagnosis. | 1. Clinical Depression responds very well to a form of psychological treatment called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and occasionally may also need medication. Medication is not something that needs to be taken for life and needs to be prescribed by a specialist. |
| 2. Sometimes when feelings of low mood continue they can turn into clinical depression. The start of this can be indicated when low mood lasts over a long time, is severe and impacts very significantly on daily life. | 2. Depression can cause feelings like sadness, numbness, hopelessness and being overwhelmed. Thoughts include negative thoughts, concentration problems, lack of interest and slowed down thinking. These symptoms further affect mood so that a person gets caught up in a spiral of negative feelings and thoughts that lead to depression, which, as it gets worse, leads to more negative thoughts and emotions. | 2. Behavioural Activation Therapy can also help with depression – this is a treatment that focuses on some of the behaviour changes that often happen with depression, for example, withdrawing from friends or lack of motivation, which make a person feel worse. It helps a person set goals for their day and make a commitment to meet them, helping change their behaviour and through this, their mood. |
| 3. In the UK depression seems to change with age in each gender. Until the age of about 11, the levels of depression seem the same but after 14/15 years, more girls present with symptoms of low mood. There are many different reasons for this which still need further investigation. | 3. Depression can result in physical symptoms like sleep changes, appetite changes, extreme tiredness and increased experience of pain. These symptoms can make a person feel further depressed. A lack of sleep and significant weight loss can also lead to depression. This type of circular response contributes to the depression spiral. | 3. The Move Mood app helps manage the behaviours connected with depression. Move Mood uses principles from Behavioural Action Therapy to help you to move forward, take control and feel positive. |
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