Depression, Chronic Illness, and Seeking Help
Sue Abderholden, MPH
Executive Director
NAMI Minnesota
Depression
Almost 7% of the population had at
least one major depressive episode in
the past year.
People of all ages and racial, ethnic
and socioeconomic backgrounds
experience depression
Depression is more common among
women than among men
Risk factors include a personal or
family history of depression or loss of
family members to suicide.
Symptoms:
No joy in life
Difficult to make any decisions
Hard to read or even watch TV
Feeling hopeless, worried you won’t
ever feel better
Feeling like a failure, having only
negative thoughts
Can’t sleep well – either falling
asleep or staying asleep
Feel tired and exhausted no matter
how much you sleep – no energy
Food is either not appetizing or
craving unhealthy foods
2
Chronic Illnesses and Depression
Risk factors directly related to
having another illness. Some
conditions cause changes in the
brain. Illness-related anxiety and
stress can also trigger symptoms of
depression.
People who have depression and
another medical illness tend to
have more severe symptoms of
both illnesses. They may have
more difficulty adapting to their
co-occurring illness than those who
do not also have depression.
Physiological changes seen in
depression may play a role in
increasing the risk of physical
illness. Such as:
Signs of increased inflammation
Changes in the control of heart
rate and blood circulation
Abnormalities in stress hormones
Metabolic changes typical of those
seen in people at risk for diabetes
3
Chronic Illnesses and Depression
Too tired to manage symptoms of the chronic illness
Difficulty remembering to follow through on treatment plan
Increased irritability
Lack of sleep may make exacerbate the symptoms of the illness
Not sure which one is causing the fatigue
4
You Are Not Alone
Isolation is an issue. Seek out
others facing similar challenges
Families need to educate
themselves on both issues
Know that treatment works but it
takes more than a pill
Resources:
NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264
Some states have mobile mental
health crisis teams and warm lines
National Suicide Text Line
Text NAMI to 741741
National Suicide Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
5
Depression affects a significant portion of the population, with various risk factors and symptoms. Chronic illnesses can also increase the risk of depression, leading to challenges in managing both conditions. Seeking help and support is crucial, as isolation can worsen these issues. Resources like the NAMI Helpline and National Suicide Hotline are available for assistance.
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Presentation Transcript
Sue Abderholden, MPH Executive Director NAMI Minnesota
Depression Almost 7% of the population had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. People of all ages and racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds experience depression Depression is more common among women than among men Risk factors include a personal or family history of depression or loss of family members to suicide. Symptoms: No joy in life Difficult to make any decisions Hard to read or even watch TV Feeling hopeless, worried you won t ever feel better Feeling like a failure, having only negative thoughts Can t sleep well either falling asleep or staying asleep Feel tired and exhausted no matter how much you sleep no energy Food is either not appetizing or craving unhealthy foods 2
Chronic Illnesses and Depression Risk factors directly related to having another illness. Some conditions cause changes in the brain. Illness-related anxiety and stress can also trigger symptoms of depression. Physiological changes seen in depression may play a role in increasing the risk of physical illness. Such as: Signs of increased inflammation Changes in the control of heart rate and blood circulation People who have depression and another medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses. They may have more difficulty adapting to their co-occurring illness than those who do not also have depression. Abnormalities in stress hormones Metabolic changes typical of those seen in people at risk for diabetes 3
Chronic Illnesses and Depression Too tired to manage symptoms of the chronic illness Difficulty remembering to follow through on treatment plan Increased irritability Lack of sleep may make exacerbate the symptoms of the illness Not sure which one is causing the fatigue 4
You Are Not Alone Isolation is an issue. Seek out others facing similar challenges Resources: NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 Families need to educate themselves on both issues Some states have mobile mental health crisis teams and warm lines Know that treatment works but it takes more than a pill National Suicide Text Line Text NAMI to 741741 National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 5
