In Today s World

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1 Resources For Participants: Go to our Resource Room to read stress and wellness articles with tips on balance, stress busters, and mental illness. Order our newest book: Stress Out! Take our Stress Test Watch Read our Stress and Wellness Tips blog For Wellness Ideas: Sign up for our Comprehensive Employee Wellness Ezine called Path To Wellness Review our 175 wellness programming ideas Click on our Calendar for more than 450 Wellness Days, Weeks and Months Bring Beverly To Your Team Stress and Wellness Workshops can focus on: Thriving With Stress Harnessing Your Energy Finding Your Balance Stress Smarts For Leaders Connect With Beverly Work.Smart.Live.Smart FaceBook Page Twitter Hashtag #SOSTOSTRESS Provide a recommendation through LinkedIn Building Resiliency Through Stress And Wellness Strategies Understanding Depression In Today s World Wellness is wholeness and balance, an inner resilience that allows you to meet the demands of living, without being overwhelmed. Health is dynamic. With the right tools and a clear understanding of how our mind and body react to the many situations throughout our day, we can find the path to balance and achieve satisfaction and success. My Commitment To present the tools you need to achieve wellness. Beverly Website: info@worksmartlivesmart.com Phone:

2 Stress and Mental Illness A Simplified Version Of A Complex Topic The brain receives and sends trillions of messages a day throughout the body. These messages are passed along using brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Three main brain chemicals are: Serotonin sets your body clock Noradrenalin gives energy Dopamine regulates pleasure/pain Excessive stress can place too much demand on these neurotransmitters and they begin to fail in delivering these messages properly. This makes the person feel terrible they may complain of being tired, unable to fall asleep or obtain a restful night sleep. They may experience more aches and pains, a lack of energy and/or enjoyment of life. The amount of stress that you can tolerate before your chemical messengers begin to malfunction is referred to as your Stress Tolerance. This tolerance is set by your genetic inheritance. Listen The person experiencing the disorder may find it helpful to talk to you about their feelings and concerns Give Reassurance Offer hope and suggestions that can help the person remember that during an episode of depression or extreme anxiety the person may not have the energy, skills, or will to act on these suggestions. Don t increase the person s feelings of guilt and helplessness by blaming them Don t ask the person why they feel the way they do may not be able to articulate the cause If the person talks about suicide, treat the situation seriously and act immediately to get emergency help. Remind them that they are not alone and that you are there for support If you notice signs of a manic episode encourage them to seek medical help do not get caught up in their high spirits A person experiencing a manic episode may find their symptoms intensified by attention and conflict try to redirect them and avoid arguments During a panic situation help the person to focus on relaxation skills of deep breathing, and visualization 2 19

3 Strategies For Decreasing The Impact of Mental Illness In The Workplace Get educated on symptoms, increase awareness through wellness promotion Reduce stigma convey message that mental illness is treatable and not the result of personal failure. Many have a significant likelihood of returning to normal, productive status at work Be aware of your own stress levels Take care of yourself you are only one link in the chain of support Talk about realistic ways to reduce stress in your workplace workload, expectations, communication, technology, work/life balance. Measure Quality of Life as well as productivity Know about places that offer help Develop workplace assistance EAP, occupational health services, HR, health benefits, wellness programs and centers, return to work strategies Be supportive and understanding Address observed changes ensure confidentiality, set up plan to address change and illness, and follow up regularly All of us have experienced a malfunction in our chemical messengers like when we could not sleep before an important interview, or the sadness we experienced when a relative passed away. However, some people feel this way for a majority of the time. This lasting effect may be diagnosed as a mental illness such as Depression. By recognizing the effects of brain chemical malfunction, we can implement preventative techniques that may decrease our chance of experiencing a mental illness, and we can seek help to counter the effects when a malfunction is taking place. 5 Preventative Tips Make proper nutrition a priority Eat balanced meals, drink plenty of water Live a scheduled life regulate the timing and amount of sleep, exercise and food you consume in order to keep your body clock regulated Learn how to relax your body needs time to repair itself and replenish its energy stores Be aware of upcoming changes and keep them well paced postpone unnecessary changes when other major changes occur Avoid the use of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and non prescription drugs as these throw brain chemical balance off even further 18 3

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5 Mental Illness Indicators MOOD DISORDERS Exhibiting several of these may indicate that someone may be experiencing a mental illness and intervention and assistance is needed. Being alert to these indirect pleas for help can ensure a healthy work environment. 1. Excessive lateness or absences particularly if the individual has been typically prompt and committed 2. Increased need for supervision the individual may be signaling a need for help 3. Reduced productivity and loss of pride in work 4. Inconsistency if work habits change the individual may be in need of assistance 5. Strained workplace relationships lack of cooperation and disruptive behaviour require immediate intervention to avoid isolation and ostracism by other employees 6. Inability to concentrate 7. Violation of safety procedures may be due to carelessness and inability to concentrate 8. Changes in health or hygiene sudden disregard for personal health or grooming may be sign for help. Look for complaints of unexplained aches and pains 9. Excuses and blaming may be trying to avert attention in order to cover their illness. Blame may be placed on a lack of sleep or on flus or colds which are more socially acceptable 10.Substance abuse drugs and alcohol may be used to mask symptoms or to self medicate 16 Mood Disorders refer to biochemical imbalances, that cause persistent changes in a person s mood, behaviour, and feelings, for an extended period of time, and interferes with their everyday living. Occurrence 15% of the general population Treatment Vast majority of cases are not recognized even though with proper treatment success is around 80% Some individuals will have only one episode of a Mood Disorder, while others will experience reoccurring or chronic illness 5

6 Treatment MOOD DISORDERS QUIZ 1 T F Depression is a character flaw, a sign of personal weakness 2 T F A person can overcome Depression through willpower 3 T F Depression doesn t affect your everyday life; you just appear unhappy 4 T F Depression primarily affects the elderly who are alone and/or ill 5 T F Family history is important where Depression is concerned 6 T F Depression has no impact on the workplace 7 T F It is easy to pinpoint the factors causing Depression 8 T F Therapy is an effective means of treating Depression 9 T F Anti depressant medication is addictive 10 T F 15% of people with severe Depression will commit suicide When mild additional emotional support or extra help caring for the newborn may be the only intervention necessary Treatments same as for Major Depression including antidepressants and/or counseling Many patients will experience PPD for more than 6 months, and if untreated, approximately 25% are still depressed after 1 year Sample questions used to detect Postpartum Depression from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, by Cox and Sagovsky Over the last week: 1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things 2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things 3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong 4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason 5. I have felt scared or panicky for not very good reasons 6. Things have been getting on top of me 7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping 8. I have felt sad or miserable 9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying 10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me 6 15

7 Postpartum Depression is a form of mood disorder in which depressive episodes occur after the birth of a baby. It differs from baby blues in that the episode is longer and it interferes with everyday life, caregiving and/or satisfaction. Occurrence 50 80% of new mothers have measurable changes in mood, energy, sleep, and eating during the first two weeks after delivery Studies have shown that 12 26% of new mothers will have severe postpartum depression Risk Factors History of PPD increase risk 50 62% History of Depression increase risk by 30% Family history of Depression or PPD Poor social supports, marital instability Stressful life events Symptoms POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION Symptoms are the same for Major Depression and may include: Fear or feelings of guilt about being a bad mother Fear of harm coming to child Anxiety and/or panic attacks Spontaneous crying spells Disinterest in the baby Insomnia 11 T F Seasonal Affective Disorder only occurs in the winter 12 T F Indoor lighting is as bright as a dark, gray winter day 13 T F Seasonal Affective Disorder resembles Major Depression in its symptoms 14 T F Light therapy has only been used as a treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder for the last 20 years 15 T F The risk of suicide in people with Seasonal Affective Disorder is slightly lower than that of people with Major Depression 16 T F 10% of short term disability claims are caused by stress, stress related illness, and Depression 17 T F Health Canada reports that mental illness represents $8 million a year in lost productivity in Canada 18 T F 1/3 of patients with Mood Disorders reported that it took 10 years to receive a correct diagnosis 19 T F St. John s Wort is an effective treatment for severe Depression 20 T F Melatonin is an effective treatment for severe 14 7

8 Major Depressive Disorder is a biochemical disorder that causes persistent changes in a person s mood, behaviour, and feelings, for an extended period of time, and interferes with their everyday living. It is characterized by at least two weeks of depressed mood accompanied by several other additional symptoms of Depression. Occurrence 10% of the general population, increases to 25% if parent also has had illness 3% of children, and 8% of young adults are effected 2 times more women than men are diagnosed with Depression 20 25% of persons with diabetes, myocardial infarction, carcinomas, and stroke will develop Depression during the course of the condition Symptoms Experiencing several of these signs for more than several weeks may indicate Depression. Sadness/Irritability DEPRESSION Feelings of Hopelessness/Guilt Loss of Interest In Usual Activities Over eating Weight gain Carbohydrate Craving Treatment Treatments same as for Major Depression and also include: Phototherapy When mild symptoms of low energy and fatigue occur try to: Spend time outdoors several times during the day Work in a bright, sunny location Increase the lighting in your indoor environment Focus on proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise Take a southern vacation Plan active events for yourself at the end of the summer 8 13

9 SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of mood disorder in which depressive episodes occur during the fall and winter months (October to April in our northern hemisphere). Differs from winter blahs in that episodes are longer, it interferes with everyday life, and it reoccurs during the same period year after year Fatigue and Loss of Energy Sleep Disturbances Appetite disturbances Difficulty Concentrating Restlessness or Decreased Activity Physical Pain With No Medical Cause Thoughts of Death or Suicide Occurrence 66% of Canadians have measurable changes in energy, sleep, and eating during this time called the winter blahs 5% of the population have severe SAD 15% suffer from moderate symptoms Highest rates occur in the northern and southern most latitudes More common in women than in men (4:1) Treatment 80 90% Effective Include any or all of the following: Psychotherapies (Counselling, Psychotherapy) Biotherapies (Medications Antidepressants, ECT, and Homeopathic Therapies) Involvement and Support (Self help, family, friends, co workers, employer) Symptoms Symptoms are the same for Major Depression and include: Fatigue or Loss of Energy Over sleeping Note: Only 1 out of 3 of people with Depression seek help 15% will die by suicide 12 9

10 BIPOLAR DISORDER Bipolar Disorder is a biochemical disorder where a person experiences cycles of moods, including periods of Depression, normal mood, and mania (elevated or high mood). 25% individuals with Bipolar Disorder suffer from delusions and hallucinations Rapid Cycling is a term used to describe when an individual has four or more cycles of mood per year Occurrence 1.5% of population Increases 4 24% if parent has illness Usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood Symptoms Treatment Same for Major Depression except for: Biotherapy medication which may include Antimanics (Lithium), Antipsychotics, and Antianxiety treatment Includes depressed symptoms from Major Depression along with Manic symptoms in high phase. Excessively Good Mood Excessive Self Confidence/Grandiosity Hyperactivity/Distractibility Flight of Ideas/Pressure of Speech Sleep Disturbances Excessive Involvement In Activities With High Potential For Painful Consequences 10 11