From Blue to YouFrom Blue to You

Women and DepressionWomen and Depression

What is depression? What is depression?

• A mental disorder or illness A mental disorder or illness

• Involves the body, mood, and thoughtsInvolves the body, mood, and thoughts

Is depression common? Is depression common?

• Yes – 12 percent of women in the United Yes – 12 percent of women in the United StatesStates

• Leading cause of disability Leading cause of disability

What are the symptoms?

• Physical symptoms

• Emotional symptoms

• Psychosocial symptoms

StigmaStigma

• Listen for signs and symptoms

• Listen for feelings about having depression

What do you hear about stigma?

Treatment• Talk therapy

• Medication therapy

• Combination: talk and medication therapy

What to do if you think you have What to do if you think you have depression depression

• Get helpGet help

• Stay activeStay active

• Eat properlyEat properly

• Avoid alcohol and drugsAvoid alcohol and drugs

• Don’t get upset if you can’t Don’t get upset if you can’t sleepsleep

• RelaxRelax

• Do something you enjoyDo something you enjoy

• Review your lifestyleReview your lifestyle

• Take a break Take a break

• Read about depressionRead about depression

• Reach out to othersReach out to others

What do you do if a female family What do you do if a female family member has depression?member has depression?

• Get help Get help

• Encourage her to stick Encourage her to stick with treatmentwith treatment

• Offer emotional Offer emotional supportsupport

• Invite her outInvite her out

• Plan and prepare Plan and prepare healthy mealshealthy meals

• Do not accuse her of Do not accuse her of faking illness or expect faking illness or expect her "to snap out of it" her "to snap out of it"

References• Beyond Blue (2008). What is Depression. Retrieved from www.beyondblue.org • Bhatia, S.C. & Bhatia, S.K. (1999). Depression in Women: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations.

American Family Physician, 60, 1, 225-240. http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/women.asp

• Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23039&lstid=326

• Frank, E., Novick, D., & Masalehdan, A. (2003). About mental illness: Depression in women. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=61089

• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00035

• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175

• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016

• NIMH (2008). How Do Women Experience Depression? Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/how-do-women-experience-depression.shtml

• Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information. Retrieved from http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/Depression/statistics.htm

Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhDformer Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Family Studies

Ester Edwards, BSGraduate studentDepartment of Family Studies

Leslie Crofford, MDProfessor, College of Medicine

April 2010

Health Education through Extension Leadership The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration.

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