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The Fraternal Twins of Mood Disorders

Anxiety Depression Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps one deal with Depression is a serious medical illness. It’s more than just a tense situation. But, when it becomes an excessive feeling “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days. It’s irrational dread of everyday situations, it has become a feeling down, low and hopeless for weeks at a time. disabling disorder. Who is Affected Who is Affected Depression is a common condition that affects about 8% of Anxiety disorders affect approximately 12% of adults in a adults every year. given year. Types of Depression Types of Anxiety Disorders Major Depressive Disorder or Major Depression: a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): chronic anxiety, combination of symptoms that interfere with one’s ability to exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy once-pleasurable activities Dysthymic Disorder, or Dysthymia: long-term (two years nothing to provoke it Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): recurrent, or longer), but less severe symptoms that may not disable a unwanted thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors person, but can prevent one from functioning normally or

Panic Disorder: unexpected and repeated episodes of feeling well intense fear Some forms of depressive disorders exhibit slightly different Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): persistent characteristics than those described above. They include: frightening thoughts and memories of a terrifying ordeal Psychotic Depression: when a severe depressive illness is Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder: overwhelming accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social with reality, hallucinations and delusions. situations Postpartum Depression: diagnosed if a new mother Signs and Symptoms develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery All symptoms cluster around excessive irrational fear and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): the onset of a dread, but each disorder has different symptoms. depressive illness during winter when there is less natural GAD: worries accompanied by fatigue, headaches, muscle sunlight; the depression generally lifts during spring and tension or other physical symptoms summer. OCD: persistent, unwelcomed thoughts or images, or the Bipolar Disorder (also called Manic-Depressive): cycling urgent ne ed to engage in certain rituals mood changes from extreme highs (mania) to extreme Panic Disorder: feelings of terror that strike suddenly and lows (depression) repeatedly without warning; frequently accompanied by a pounding heart, sweatiness, weakness, faintness and Signs and Symptoms dizziness Emotional Physical PTSD: emotional numbness, detachment, sleep problems • Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings • Chest pain and a tendency to be easily startled • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism • Digestive problems Social Phobia: a persistent, intense and chronic dear of • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or • Fatigue/exhaustion being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed helplessness • Headaches or humiliated; often accompanied by blushing, profuse • Irritability, restlessness • Pain (back, joint and/or sweating and other physical symptoms • Loss of interest in once- pleasurable hobbies or muscle)

activities, including sex • Weight loss or gain Treatment Anxiety disorders are generally treated with a combination Treatment of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with Depression is the most treatable of mental illnesses. Most effective results. Many people with anxiety disorders also people who suffer from depression are helped by their benefit from support groups, family counseling and treatment plans, which usually include medication and/or educational resources. psychological counseling. Support from trusted family members, friends and self-help groups are also key to recovery. 24/7 Patient Services Helpline 480.345.5420 www.auroraarizona.com

The Difference Between Depression and Grief

Grief Depression When a person experiences a loss of someone or something If you don’t allow yourself to grieve, you may get stuck in the that is meaningful to them, it is absolutely normal, and grief process. When someone is stuck in their grief, they expected, that the person will develop grief around their experience hopelessness and turn inward, which are loss. Grief is a natural human reaction and most people will common signs of depression. go through this process multiple times throughout their lives. We will all experience grief in our lifetime, and even experience it multiple times. In the senior population, Causes of Grief though, grief occurs more frequently due to the amount of • • loss occurring during this stage in life. Death Divorce • Career Loss • Terminal Illness Depression Clues in Seniors • • Amputation Relationship Loss Older adults who deny feeling sad or depressed may still • Loss of Appearance • Vision/Hearing Loss have major depression. Signs may include: • Death of a Pet • Loss of Independence • Loss of Health • Loss of Job • Unexplained or aggravated aches & pains • Memory problems • Bankruptcy • Major Move • Isolation / withdrawal from normal activities • Disability • Shattered Dreams • Irritability Similar Symptoms • Neglecting personal care (skipping meals, hygiene) Grief and depression have several symptoms in common • Sleep problems (especially early morning awakening and including sadness, insomnia, poor appetite and weight loss. multiple awakenings) It can be confusing for both the person experiencing these • Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness symptoms and those individuals in the person’s personal and • Persistent, uncharacteristic negative self-view professional support system to differentiate between the • Isolation two. The main area to observe when differentiating between • Reduced energy and concentration grief and depression is duration and intensity. • Decreased appetite

• Weight loss The Difference • Seeing/hearing things that are not there Grief softens over time. • Slow speech and body movements Clinical depression does not. • Thoughts of suicide or a preoccupation with dying

Signs of Grief Treatment • Emotions are like a roller coaster. Can have good days and There are many resources available to individuals who are then bad days. Oscillates dealing with grief and/or depression. If you are concerned • Tends to be more “trigger-related”, e.g. a birthday or that you may be dealing with one or both of these issues or anniversary know someone who is, don't be afraid to approach these • Can take care of oneself, social function returns, self- people or to reach out for help. There are many esteem intact organizations that understand the nature of grief and • Bad memories coincide with good memories depression. Aurora Behavioral Health System is one of those entities. Our 24/7 Patient Services Helpline can schedule a free, confidential assessment to help determine your needs Treatment and support you in making the appropriate program choice. The grief process varies in intensity and duration from person to person. There are no hard and fast rules around the Help is only a phone call away. Aurora is where healing experience of grief. It’s important to find a support group or reach out to family and friends to help you through the starts and the road to recovery begins. grieving process.