📊 Easy Read PowerPoint
Content
Understanding Depression
What is Depression?
I
have proved that major depression, also known as major depressive disorder
(MDD) or clinical depression, is a serious mood disorder characterized by
persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable
activities, and a range of other emotional, cognitive, physical, and social
symptoms that significantly impair daily functioning.
Here's
a breakdown of the key aspects based on your description:
• Core Symptoms: The defining features include a
very low mood, low self-esteem, and a lack of interest in things someone would
normally be interested in. This unhappiness and hopelessness are persistent and
pervasive.
• Commonality and Connections: Major depression
is described as one of the most common types of depression and can be linked to
other types of depression, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and
Postpartum Depression, and Psychosis.
• Impact on Life: It significantly affects
various aspects of a person's life, including families, personal relationships,
friendships, studying, and work.
• Symptoms Categories: You've helpfully
categorized the symptoms:
Psychological Symptoms: These include low mood, feeling upset and crying frequently, guilt, irritability,
intolerance, social withdrawal, lack of motivation and energy, difficulty making decisions, inability to enjoy life, suicidal thoughts, and potential self-harm.
o Physical Symptoms: These can manifest as
slower movement and speech, changes in weight and appetite (eating more or
less), constipation, aches and pains, low sex drive, potential changes in the
menstrual cycle, and sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia, early or late
waking).
o Social Symptoms: These involve difficulties in
school or work performance, grief after loss, relationship breakdowns, and
conflicts with family and friends.
• Treatment and Support: You list various
approaches to treatment and support, including grief and bereavement
counseling, different types of medication, and therapies such as psychotherapy,
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). You
also mention the connection to premenstrual issues.
In
summary, major depression is a significant mental health condition that goes
beyond temporary sadness. It is characterized by a combination of persistent
emotional, cognitive, physical, and social symptoms that interfere with a
person's ability to function in their daily life. It is important to seek
professional help for diagnosis and treatment.
Based
on the information you provided, here's a summary of the symptoms of bipolar
disorder:
Bipolar
disorder is characterized by significant shifts in mood, energy, activity
levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. These
shifts include periods of intense highs (mania or a less severe form called
hypomania) and lows (depression).
Symptoms
of the Depressive Phase:
The
depressive phase of bipolar disorder shares many symptoms with major
depression, including:
• Very low mood: Persistent sadness, feeling
down, and unhappy.
Feeling
sad and hopeless: A sense of despair and lack of optimism.
• Not able to concentrate: Difficulty focusing
and making decisions.
• Lack of energy: Feeling tired and drained,
with reduced motivation.
• Emptiness and worthlessness: Negative feelings
about oneself.
• Guilt and despair: Feelings of remorse and
hopelessness.
• Self-doubt: Lack of confidence in oneself.
• Lack of appetite: Changes in eating habits,
often a decrease in hunger.
Symptoms
of the Manic/Hypomanic Phase:
The
manic or hypomanic phase is characterized by an elevated or irritable mood and
increased energy and activity levels. Symptoms can include:
• Very happy: An intense feeling of elation or
euphoria.
• Talking very quickly: Rapid and pressured
speech.
• Full of energy: Feeling unusually energetic
and restless.
• Self-important: Inflated self-esteem or
grandiosity.
• Great ideas, important plans: Racing thoughts
and an influx of new ideas, often unrealistic.
• Easily distracted: Difficulty focusing on one
task.
• Easily irritated or agitated: Increased frustration and annoyance.
Delusional,
hallucinations, disturbed or illogical thinking: In more severe cases (mania),
there can be a break from reality.
• Not feeling like sleeping: Reduced need for
sleep.
• Spending large amounts of money: Engaging in
impulsive and often reckless financial behavior.
• Making decisions out of character that may be
risky and harmful: Impaired judgment leading to risky behaviors (e.g., reckless
driving, impulsive sexual encounters, unwise investments).
Key
Differences from Depression:
The
crucial difference between bipolar disorder and major depression is the
presence of these manic or hypomanic episodes. While individuals with major
depression experience only depressive episodes, those with bipolar disorder
experience both highs and lows.
Important
Considerations from Your Text:
Your
text also highlights several important points regarding supporting individuals
with mental health challenges:
• Respecting Autonomy: It emphasizes the
importance of respecting a person's choices about who they open up to and what
they want.
• Offering Support: Letting individuals know you
are there for them if they need support.
• Recognizing Limitations: Understanding when a situation requires more trained and qualified help, especially concerning health and safety.
• Varied Experiences: Acknowledging that crises
and the impact of mental illness can vary significantly from person to person.
• Patience and Understanding: The need for
patience while someone is recovering.
• Honesty and Non-Judgment: Being honest with
those you support while avoiding judgment and telling them what to do. Instead,
offering information about potential consequences of their actions.
• Praising Openness: Recognizing the courage and
energy it takes for someone to open up about their struggles.
• Privacy: Respecting a person's privacy and
their right to choose who they share information with.
• Impact of Depression: Reinforcing how
depression can affect feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, leading to physical
and emotional problems and difficulties with daily activities.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Identifying CBT as a therapy that aims to help individuals feel more positive
about themselves and is used to treat anxiety and depression.
How
and Why the Increased Mental Health Concerns and Reduced Support?
Understandably,
you have concerns about the impact of the lockdown on mental health in the UK
and the accessibility of support services.
You've
raised several important points, and we can explore some of the potential
reasons behind the issues you've highlighted.
Several
interconnected factors likely contributed to the increased mental health
concerns and the challenges in accessing support during and after the
lockdowns:
• Increased Stress and Isolation: The lockdowns
brought about significant disruptions to daily life, including social
isolation, loss of routines, financial worries, fear of contracting COVID-19,
• and anxieties about family and friends.
These stressors inevitably took a toll on people's mental well-being, leading
to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties, as
Rethink's statistics suggest.
o Digital Divide: As you mentioned, not everyone
has digital literacy, access to reliable internet, or suitable devices to
effectively engage with online services.
o This created a barrier for some individuals
needing support.
o Suitability of Online Therapy: Online therapy
isn't always suitable for everyone or for all types of mental health
conditions.
o Some individuals may find it harder to
build rapport with a therapist online, or the lack of in-person interaction
might feel less supportive.
o For more severe conditions, in-person support
is often more appropriate.
o Confidentiality and Technical Issues: Concerns
about data security, privacy, and technical difficulties (poor internet
connection, software issues) could also deter some individuals from seeking
online support.
• Fear of COVID-19 and Burdening the NHS: The
statistics from Rethink highlight a significant concern among people
• about catching COVID-19 and burdening
the NHS. This fear likely prevented some individuals from seeking necessary
mental health support, especially in person.
• particularly for those who experienced
job losses or financial hardship during the lockdown. This financial barrier
could have prevented some from accessing timely support.
• Lack of Awareness or Reluctance to Seek Help:
As you pointed out, even with services like the Samaritans available,
• people in distress may not always think
about reaching out. The feeling of being "locked down" and
potentially overwhelmed
• might have made it harder for some to
actively seek help. Additionally, stigma surrounding mental health can still be
a barrier for some individuals.
Advantages
and Disadvantages of Online Access:
You
rightly pointed out that online access to mental health services has both
advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
• Accessibility and Convenience: Online therapy
removes geographical barriers and can be more easily fitted into busy
schedules.
• Comfort and Privacy: Some individuals may feel
more comfortable and secure accessing therapy from their own homes.
• Continuity of Care: Online therapy allows
individuals to maintain contact with their therapist even if they move or
travel.
Potential
Cost-Effectiveness: Online therapy can sometimes be more affordable due to
lower overhead costs for therapists.
Disadvantages:
• Technological Barriers: Lack of access to
technology or digital literacy can exclude some individuals.
• Lack of Personal Connection: Building a strong
therapeutic relationship can sometimes be more challenging online. Non-verbal
cues might be missed.
• Confidentiality Concerns: While platforms
strive for security, there's always a potential risk with online communication.
• Suitability for Severe Conditions: Online
therapy may not be appropriate for individuals with severe mental health
conditions who require more intensive, in-person support.
• Distractions at Home: The home environment may
present distractions that can interfere with therapy sessions.
• Limited Crisis Intervention: Responding to a
mental health crisis can be more challenging.
In
conclusion, the increased mental health concerns and challenges in accessing
support in the UK are likely a complex interplay of
increased
stress due to the pandemic, the strain on existing mental health services, the
rapid shift to online platforms with
Addressing
these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including increased funding for
mental health services,
efforts
to bridge the digital divide, ensuring a range of accessible support options
(both online and in-person), and continued public health messaging to encourage
help-seeking and reduce stigma.
What is Depression?
quiz
1. Try the quiz before you research and check your answers.
2. The questions may seem dull, but they raise awareness of what a
lot of people face and struggle with.
3. Write the answer in your own words, not the reference
words.
1. Search engine, or research on other references, is the
expression of mood disorder? Yes or no. Take a guess first.
2. Find out if there are any other mental illnesses the same but
similar to depression.
3. Name signs of Depression.
4. Research how depression affects people.
5. Name types of depression.
6. How can you support and treat people with depression?
7. When trying to help anyone wanting support for mental health,
what do you do if you cannot help them?
A) Make a referral to elsewhere, recommend somewhere or someone,
look online etc for eg; the Good Samanthia's, etc.
B) Say sorry I cannot help you.
Easy Read Power Point – Understanding Depression (all Levels)
📊 Easy Read PowerPoint
Content
Understanding Depression
Slide 1 – Title
Understanding
Depression
Depression is a
mental illness
It affects feelings,
thoughts, and daily life
Help and support are
available
Slide 2 – What Is Depression?
Depression
is more than feeling sad.
It is a serious
mental health condition
It can affect work,
study, and relationships
Slide 3 – Types of Depression
Some
types of depression include:
Mild or minor
depression
Major (clinical)
depression
Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD)
Postnatal or
postpartum depression
Slide 4 – How Depression Can Feel
People
with depression may feel:
Very sad or low
Hopeless or empty
Guilty or worthless
Slide 5 – Thinking and Concentration
Depression
can affect thinking.
People
may:
Find it hard to
concentrate
Struggle to make
decisions
Lose interest in
things they enjoy
Slide 6 – Physical Symptoms
Depression
can affect the body.
This
may include:
Low energy or
tiredness
Changes in sleep
Changes in appetite
or weight
Aches and pains
Slide 7 – Social Impact
Depression
can affect daily life.
Work or school may
feel harder
Relationships may
suffer
People may withdraw
from others
Slide 8 – Depression and Risk
Some
people with depression may:
Feel life is not
worth living
Have thoughts of
self-harm
Need urgent support
Help
should be sought early.
Slide 9 – Depression Is Different for
Everyone
Depression affects
people differently
Some people cope
better than others
All experiences are
valid
Slide 10 – What Can Help?
Depression
can be treated.
Support
may include:
Talking therapy
Medication
Lifestyle support
Community and peer
support
Slide 11 – Talking Therapies
Talking
therapies help people talk about feelings.
Examples:
Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT)
Counselling
Psychotherapy
Slide 12 – Medication
Some
people may need medication.
Prescribed by a
doctor
Can help balance mood
Often used with
therapy
Slide 13 – Other Support
Other
support can help recovery:
Support groups
Family and friends
Self-care and
routines
Slide 14 – Supporting Someone with Depression
You
can help by:
Listening without
judgement
Being patient
Encouraging
professional help
Respecting privacy
Slide 15 – When to Get Urgent Help
Get
urgent help if someone:
Talks about suicide
Is at risk of harming
themselves
Feels unsafe
Slide 16 – UK Support
Samaritans 📞 116 123
SHOUT 📱 Text 85258
NHS 111
Mind – mind.org.uk
Slide 17 – USA Support
988 Suicide &
Crisis Lifeline 📞 Call or text 988
NAMI – nami.org
SAMHSA Helpline
Slide 18 – Worldwide Support
Befrienders Worldwide
WHO Mental Health
Resources
Slide 19 – Key Messages
Depression is an
illness
It is not a weakness
Help works
Recovery is possible
Slide 20 – Easy Read Questions
Question
1
Depression is more than feeling sad.
☐ Yes
☐ No
Question
2
Depression can affect the body.
☐ True
☐ False
Question
3
Talking therapy can help depression.
☐ Yes
☐ No
Question
4
People with depression should be judged.
☐ True
☐ False
Question
5
It is okay to ask for help.
☐ Yes
☐ No
✔ End of Easy Read Module
Depression
is treatable. Support saves lives.
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