Understanding Depression






Information provided by: The Ontario Association of Mood Disorders. (2010). Depression. Retrieved on June 2nd, 2010, from http://www.mooddisorders.on.ca/dep.html

Depression is not a weakness or character flaw. It is a medical illness.


Who gets depression?
  • At any given time, almost three million Canadians have serious depression
  • Depression accounts for 30% of all disability recorded at three of Canada's best known companies.
  • 10-15% of men and 15-25% of women

What causes depression?
  • Family history and genetics
  • Medical illnesses
  • Certain medications
  • Life events or environmental stresses
  • Biological factors
  • Psychological vulnerability

Signs and symptoms of depression include but are not limited to:
    • Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
    • Feeling sad, blue or down in the dumps
    • Feelings of restlessness
    • Feeling worthless
    • Changes in appetite or weight loss or gain
    • Lethargy
    • Feeling anxious
    • Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping too much
    • Suicidal thoughts

Depression is treatable

Between 80-90% of all depressed people respond to treatment and nearly all depressed people who receive treatment see at least some relief from their symptoms.


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