THC-MA | MW 9:00-10:30 AM 2023

MIDTERM| 1ST SEMESTER A.Y 2023-2024 | Instructor: Ms. Leigh Danielle Mabida

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
➔ According to the DSM-V, Depression, otherwise known as major depressive
disorder or clinical depression, is a common and serious mood disorder. Those
who suffer from depression experience persistent feelings of sadness and
hopelessness and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed

But don’t sad feelings just go away?

➔ Clinical depression is a disorder when feelings of sadness and other associated
difficulties do not just go away. In fact, they become so pervasive that they
interfere with a person's ability to lead a normal and fulfilling life

Major Depressive Episode (MDE)

➔ This is a period of at least two weeks where for most of the time, the person has
felt sad or depressed or hasn't enjoyed the things they normally like to do

How do I know if I have depression or if I’m just having a bad day?

➔ Everyone has bad days. It's perfectly normal to feel sad or down once in a while.
It only becomes a problem if there seems to be no real reason for your sadness.

WHAT DO PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION OFTEN SAY?

What causes depression?

1) Genetics: Depression tends to run in families. So if someone in your immediate
family has depression, you are more likely to develop depression than someone
without depression in their family.
2) Trauma or Stress: Experiencing major stressors or significant trauma can
trigger depression in some people.
3) Illness: Certain medical conditions and medication can sometimes lead to
depression.

Who gets Depression

 ➔ Depression is not related to your ethnicity, your level of education, or how much
money you or your family have. Women however are reportedly to have a higher
statistic of being diagnosed with depression

How is depression treated?

➔ Depression is very treatable. Wellestablished treatments include some types of
psychotherapies, as well as some kinds of medicine. Often psychotherapy and
medication will be prescribed together

1) Psychotherapy: They work by helping your brain control your mood better.
2) Medication: This can help your brain function better. Medicine known as
Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common.
3) Having a good support system

Tip to Help Increase Overall Mental Health

1) Structure your day.
2) Exercise.
3) Sleep.
4) Eat healthy.
5) Daily relaxation time.
6) Limit caffeine intake.
7) Stay away from alcohol and drugs.
8) Go outside.
9) Build healthy relationships.
10)Talk about what you 're feeling.

Helping Someone Who’s Coping Through Depression

1) Educate yourself
2) Listen
3) Be patient
4) Don’t blame yourself
5) Be aware of suicide risk
6) Don’t try to change your friend
7) Encourage your friend to seek help
8) Be positive
9) Put yourself first
10) Have fun togther

Understanding the Common Mental Disorder

 (ANXIETY DISORDER)

What is Normal vs Abnormal Anxiety?

➔ Anxiety is an important emotion to feel, because it motivates us to succeed and
lets us know when we're in danger. Although there are times where feeling
anxious is totally normal and is associated with things that are dangerous, some
people's bodies send them mixed signals, making them think they're in danger
even when they're not.

★ An anxiety disorder is not something that you can just “snap out of.” it is a
medical condition, not a choice

What do we know about anxiety disorders?

➔ Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders.
➔ Anxiety disorders affect about 12% of the population, causing mild to severe
problems in day-to-day life.
➔ Anxiety disorders are more common in women than in men.
➔ Anxiety disorders affect children, as well as adults.
➔ Anxiety disorders are illness; they can be diagnosed and treated.

Society Anxiety Disorder

➔ A person with social anxiety has an intense fear of social situations where they
could be judged or feel embarrassed. This causes a person to avoid everyday
social situations, like going to school, going to the store, using a public bathroom,
etc.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

➔ A person who has PTSD is someone who has experienced a severely traumatic
event in the past and continues to experience these events through nightmares,
flashbacks, memories. People with PTSD will often experience intense anxiety
and physical distress in reaction to things in their environment that remind them
of the traumatic event.
➔ For a diagnosis of PTSD, these symptoms need to last for at least a month

Specific Phobias
➔ A person with a specific phobia has an intense fear of a specific object or
situation. When someone with a specific phobia encounters whatever they are
afraid of, they get extremely anxious and may have a panic attack.
Panic Disorder
➔ A person with a panic disorder experiences many intense and uncontrollable
panic attacks. out of the blue, they worry frequently about having a panic attack
and avoid going places because they're concerned that they might experience a
panic attack.

What are Panic Attacks?

➔ Panic attacks are sudden feelings of intense fear. The person experiencing it will
have a racing heart, sweating, chills or hot flashes; trembling or shaking; a
feeling of choking or not being able to breathe; chest pain, nausea or dizziness;
numbness or tingling; a feeling like they are outside their own body; and a fear
that they are losing control, going crazy or that they might even die.
➔ Panic attacks often last around 10 minutes.

Generalized Anxiety DIsorder

➔ A person who has GAD experiences excessive anxiety or worry that lasts up to 6
months. Unlike the previous anxiety disorders that were mentioned, GAD is not
restricted to a certain type of situation.

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
➔ A person with OCD has persistent and recurring unwanted thoughts or images
that cause them to have anxiety. Many people with OCD also have compulsions
which are rituallike behaviors that a person does to reduce their anxiety. If these
compulsions are not done in response to their obsessive thoughts, the person
believes that something bad will happen.

What causes Anxiety Disorders?

➔ Anxiety disorders have multiples genetic and environmental causes; there is no
one specific cause to do it.

Co-Occuring Disorders
➔ When Anxiety Disorders are not treated, these symptoms can be overwhelming;
causing the person to feel helpless or out of control and might think that it is safer
to isolate themselves to keep them safe. This increases the chances of
developing depressive symptoms or Depression itself.

Treating Anxiety Disorders

 ➔ Anxiety disorders are very treatable. There is no set time for how long treatments
last, but most treatments take at least 12 weeks to notice any improvements, so
it's important to be patient.
➔ Psychotherapy and medicine are often prescribed together to treat anxiety

Types of Treatment
1) Psychotherapy- This is talk therapy that can be done one-on-one
2) Medication - SSRIs are the most commonly used, along with benzodiazepines

Understanding the Common Mental Disorder

(PANIC DISORDER)

What is a Panic Disorder?

➔ Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by intense,
recurrent, and unexpected panic attacks.
➔ Fear and anxiety can be normal reactions to specific situations and stressful
events. Panic disorder differs from this normal fear and anxiety because it is
often extreme, and may seem to strike out of the blue

Diagnosing Panic Disorders

➔ To be diagnosed with a panic disorder, a person must experience recurrent and
often unexpected panic attacks, according to the DSM-5.
➔ In addition, at least one attack needs to be followed by one month or more of the
person fearing that they'll have more attacks

What are Panic Attacks?

➔ Since panic attacks are key to a panic disorder diagnosis, they are well-defined
and specific.
➔ The DSM-5 simplifies the approach to classifying panic attacks by providing just
two very clear categories: expected and unexpected panic attacks

What are expected and unexpected panic attacks?

➔ Expected panic attacks are those associated with a specific fear, like that of
flying. Unexpected panic attacks have no apparent trigger or cue and may
appear to occur out of the blue

How do we know if someone is having a panic attack?

 ➔ According to DSM-5, a panic attack is characterized by four or more of the
following symptoms (the presence of fewer than four symptoms may be
considered a limited-symptom panic attack):
● Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
● Sweating
● Trembling or shaking
● Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
● A feeling of choking
● Chest pain or discomfort
● Nausea or abdominal distress
● Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
● Feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself
(depersonalization)
● Fear of losing control or going crazy
● Fear of dying
● Numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias)
● Chills or hot flashes

What causes a Panic Disorder?

➔ Although the exact causes of panic disorder are not clearly understood, many
mental health experts believe that a combination of environmental, biological,
and psychological factors play a role:
● Age: Panic disorder typically develops between the ages of 18 and 35.
● Gender: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women have
more than twice the risk of panic disorder than men.
● Genetics: If you have a close biological family member with panic
disorder, you are much more likely to develop the condition. Although up
to half or more of people with panic disorder do not have close relatives
with the condition.
● Trauma: Experiencing a traumatic event, such as being the victim of
physical or sexual abuse, can increase risk of panic disorder as well.
● Life transitions: Going through a life transition or difficult life event,
including the death of a loved one, divorce, marriage, having a child, or
losing a job may increase also risk

Teatment for Panic Disorders

 1) Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals understand and
manage their thoughts and behaviors.
2) Medication: Antidepressants or antianxiety medications may be prescribed to
reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
3) Lifestyle Changes: Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, regular exercise, and
relaxation techniques can help. Exposure
4) Therapy: Gradual exposure to panic triggers can desensitize individuals.

How to Help Someone with a Panic Disorder

● Be Supportive: Listen without judgment and offer reassurance.
● Educate Yourself: Learn about panic disorders to better understand their
experiences.
● Encourage Treatment: Encourage them to seek professional help and attend
therapy sessions.
● Stay Calm: During a panic attack, stay calm, and remind them that it will pass.
● Practice Breathing Exercises: Teach them relaxation techniques to manage
anxiety

Understanding the Common Mental Disorder

(POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER)

What is PTSD?
➔ Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder involving extreme
distress and disruption of daily living that happens after exposure to a traumatic
event.

What Causes PTSD?

1) Traumatic Events: Such as combat, sexual assault, accidents, or natural
disasters.
2) Witnessing Trauma: Seeing a loved one experience trauma.
3) Chronic Stress: Prolonged exposure to stressful situations can increase the
risk.

- PTSD is caused by exposure to trauma. However, it's not clear why some people
develop PTSD after traumatic events while others do not. There are some risk
factors that can make someone more likely to develop it than others. For
example, genetics may play a role. It's also more common in women than men
Other risk factors include:
● A lack of social support following the event
● An experience of past trauma
● Histroy of mental illness
● History of substance use
Types of PTSD
● Complex PTSD: characterized by a series of traumatic events occurring over
time and typically earlier in life. Notably, complex PTSD is not listed in the DSM-
5.
● Delayed expression: Before the DSM-5, this type of PTSD was referred to as
"delayed onset." It occurs when someone is diagnosed at least six months after
the traumatic event took place.
● Dissociative: In addition to meeting criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, this subtype—
classified specifically as "with dissociative symptoms"— requires symptoms of
depersonalization or derealization

Diagnosing PTSD
➔ The first criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD listed in the DSM-5 is exposure to one
or more traumatic event(s), which is defined as one that involved death or
threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened
sexual violence.
➔ Experiencing the event could be direct, but it doesn't have to be. Exposure could
also occur indirectly, such as:
● Witnessing the event as it occurred to someone else
● Learning about an event where a close friend or relative experienced an
actual or threatened violent or accidental death
● Having repeated exposure to distressing details of an event, such as a
police officer repeatedly hearing details about child sexual abuse

Symptoms of PTSD
➔ The DSM-5 divides PTSD symptoms into four categories:
● Intrusion
● Avoidance of thoughts and behaviors
● Negative changes in thoughts and moos
● Changes in arousal and reactivity

Intrusion
 ➔ These symptoms are related to intrusive thoughts and memories of the traumatic
event.
● Reoccurring, involuntary, and intrusive upsetting memories of the event
● Repeated upsetting dreams related to the event
● Dissociation (for example, flashbacks, feeling as though the event is
happening again)
● Strong and persistent distress to cues connected to the event that are
either inside or outside of the body
● Strong bodily reactions (for example, increased heart rate) when reminded
of the event
Avoidance
➔ People with PTSD may avoid people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or
situations that bring up memories of the event. They may also avoid thoughts,
feelings, or physical sensations that recall the event.

Negative Changes in Thoughts or Mood

➔ People with PTSD may experience a pervasive negative emotional state. Other
symptoms in this category include
● Inability to remember an important aspect of the event
● Persistent and elevated negative evaluations about oneself, others, or the
world
● Elevated self-blame or blame of others about the cause or consequence
of the event
● Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
● Feeling detached from others
● Inability to experience positive emotions

Changes in Arousal and Reactivity

➔ People with PTSD often feel constantly "on guard" or like danger is lurking
around every corner (also known as hypervigilance). Related symptoms include:
● Difficulty concentrating
● Heightened startle response
● Impulsive or self-destructive behavior
● Irritability or aggressive behavior
● Problems sleeping

Treatment for PTSD: Psychotherapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
 ● CBT is a widely used therapeutic approach for PTSD.
● It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
● In the context of PTSD, CBT helps individuals understand and challenge
irrational fears and reactions associated with their trauma.
● Exposure-based techniques in CBT help individuals gradually confront and
process traumatic memories and situations.

The goal is to reduce avoidance behaviors and emotional distress while promoting
healthier coping strategies.

Exposure Therapy
● Exposure therapy is a specific form of CBT designed to help individuals confront
their traumatic memories and triggers.
● It involves controlled and gradual exposure to situations, thoughts, and memories
associated with the trauma.
● By facing these triggers in a safe and controlled environment, individuals can
learn to process and reduce their emotional response over time.
● Exposure therapy can be conducted through imaginal exposure (talking or writing
about the trauma) or in vivo exposure (confronting real-life situations that trigger
anxiety)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

● EMDR is a specialized form of therapy developed specifically for trauma-related
conditions like PTSD.
● It incorporates elements of exposure therapy along with bilateral stimulation,
typically in the form of guided eye movements.
● During EMDR sessions, individuals recall traumatic memories while
simultaneously focusing on external stimuli (e.g., following the therapist's hand
movements).
● The goal is to help process and reframe traumatic memories, reducing their
emotional impact.
How to help someon with PTSD
● Be Supportive: Listen without judgment, offer a shoulder to lean on, and let them
know you're there for them.
● Educate Yourself: Learn about PTSD to better understand their experiences.
● Encourage Treatment: Suggest professional help and accompany them if
needed.
● Respect Triggers: Be mindful of potential triggers and help create a safe
environment.
● Practice Patience: Recovery takes times; be patient and underestanding.
Seek help when needed
● PTSD is a serious condition, but with appropriate treatment and support,
individuals can work towards healing and improving their quality of life