Unit 4: How Brain’s Differ

Student Guide Lesson 2

1. What are the objectives of today’s lesson?

Students may have varying answers, but their answers should reflect the following general
information:
• Difference Between normal Episodes of sadness and depression
• Explain the risk factors for depression
• Highlight ways to reduce depression
• Communicate how to seek help for yourself and for others
2. What is depression?
• A Negative Affective state, ranging from unhappiness and discontent to an extreme feeling
of sadness, pessimism and despondency, that Interferes with daily life
• Various Physical, cognitive, and social changes also tend to co-occur with depression like:
- Altered Eating and/or sleeping habits
- Lack of Energy or motivation
- Difficulty Concentrating or making decisions
- Withdrawal from social activities

3. What is the difference between sadness and depression?

Normal “Feeling Down” or Sadness Depression

• Experiencing sadness is a normal,
Human Reaction to challenging
times and eventually goes away
• Sadness may be classified as a
mood if the feelings are temporary
• Sadness is an emotion initiated by
feelings of:
- Disappointment
- Grief
- Regret
- Fatigue
- A person experiencing some of
the following signs and
symptoms most of the day,
nearly every day, for at least
two weeks, may be suffering
from depression
- Lack of concentration
- Appetite and/or weight
changes
- Overwhelming sense of fear
- Loss of interest or pleasure in
hobbies and activities
- Other signs and symptoms

U4L2 Student Guide 1

 4. List the risk factors for depression.
• Hereditary (genetic) – personal or family history of depression
• Major life changes, trauma or stress
• Certain Physical Illnesses and medications

5. Why does depression occur?

• Sometimes depression appears “out of the blue” and sometimes it is associated with Life
Events
• Someone important in a person’s life dies
o Their country is at war or they live in an unsafe or inhuman Circumstances
o In response to a life/hormonal Stressor
o Still others become depressed for reasons that are unknown
• As far as we know, regardless of the cause, symptoms are the same and the same Treatment
work

6. List and define types of depression.

• Persistent Depression – a depressed mood that lasts for at least 2 years
• Postpartum Depression – experience full blown major depression during Pregnancy after
birth or both. It includes, anxiety, Exhaustion etc.
• Psychotic Depression: occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of
psychosis, such as having disturbing, False, fixed beliefs
• Seasonal Affective Disorder – characterized by onset of depression during the Winter
Months when there is less sunlight
• Bipolar Disorder – it is different from depression but experiences episodes of extremely Low
moods that meet the criteria for major depression

7. How prevalent are major depressive episodes for teens?

U4L2 Student Guide 2

 ● An estimated 3.2 Million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one
major Depressive episode in the past year.
o This accounts for 13.3% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17
o 60% of teens do Not get adequate treatment for depression

8. How is depression treated?

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• Medication
• Or a Combination of both CBT and medication

9. What are the main types of anti-depressant prescriptions?

• Selective Serotonin Inhibitors (SSRI’s)
- Block neurons from Reabsorbing Serotonin through the reuptake transporter
- Leaves serotonin in the Synapse where it can repeatedly stimulate the receiving neuron

• Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI’s)

- Block neurons from reabsorbing both serotine and Norepinephrine

• Norepinephrine (NDRI’s)
- Block neurons from reabsorbing both dopamine and norepinephrine
- Example: Wellbutrin

• Other Types of Anti - Depressants

- Tetracyclic
- Serotonin antagonist and Reuptake Inhibitors (SARI’s)
- Tricyclics
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s)

10. What is the main focus of prescribed anti-depressant medication?

• All prescribed anti-depressants are aimed at enhancing the signaling of neurotransmitters

U4L2 Student Guide 3

 • All prescribed medications can:
- Affect people in different ways
- Take a few Weeks before the results take effect
• It may take a while to identify the right Medication

11. What are some tips for teens in reducing the risk of depression?
● Spend – Time face-to-face with friends and family who make you feel good
● Get involved in Different you enjoy
● Volunteer
● Cut back on Social Media
● Maintain Healthy lifestyle habits
● Don’t Over Schedule yourself; take time for you = self-care

12. What are some tips for seeking help?

● Talk to an adult you trust
● Try not to isolate yourself – it makes depression worse
● Adopt healthy habits
● Manage stress and anxiety

13. What is the summary?

● It is normal to feel “blue” or sad, stressed or anxious
● A person experiencing Depression will have symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for
at least two weeks
● Risk factors for depression include a family History of depression (genetic), major life
changes, trauma, or stress or certain Physical Illness and medications
● There are Different Types of depression and people become depressed for numerous
reasons
● Scientists continue to conduct Research to determine the cause of depression
● In 2017, 13.3% of the U.S population aged 12 to 17 reported experiencing a major depressive
episode in the past year

U4L2 Student Guide 4

 ● Cognitive Behavior Therapy and prescription medications such as SSRI’s, SNRI’s and NDRI’s
and a combination of both therapy and medication are the most common treatments of
depression
● All prescribed Anti - Depressants are aimed at enhancing the signaling of neurotransmitters
● Mental Health Services and supports are available and the earlier a person accesses them,
the better the result

U4L2 Student Guide 5