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DEPRESSION

Depression is the most common, most misdiagnosed illness in America.

Depression affects approximately 17.6 million Americans each year.

Depression is a biological illness related to imbalanced or disrupted brain chemistry.

Depression is not a personal weakness or character flaw.

It is a total body illness that affects a person's thoughts, feelings, behavior, physical health and appearance.

All areas of a person's life are affected - home, work, school, and social life.

Depression can distort a person's thinking, so it may not be clear or rational.

Persons with depression may not know they have a treatable illness.

People of all ages can suffer from depressive illnesses.

One in four women, and one in eight men, can expect to develop depression at some time in their lives.

Depression may be triggered by a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.

Research shows that depressive illnesses run in families.

Stressful life experiences can trigger or increase depression, but depression can appear when everything is going fine, when there is no reason for a person to feel depressed.

Some people have one episode of depression in a lifetime; many have recurrent episodes.

Others have ongoing, chronic symptoms.

Still others have bipolar disorder, in which episodes of "lows" alternate with "highs."

Depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric, or substance abuse disorders and frequently goes unrecognized and untreated.

Recent studies show that one out of three depressed people (33%) also suffers from some form of substance abuse or dependence.

Depression occurs more frequently in persons with other psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety disorders.

In such cases, detection of depression can result in more effective treatment and a better outcome for the patient.

People sometimes try to reduce their depressive symptoms through alcohol or other mood-altering drugs.

It is estimated that as many as half of all people with alcohol and drug problems suffer from mood disorder, especially bipolar disorder.

Depression can be successfully treated through the use of antidepressant medication along with psychotherapy.
With treatment, up to 80% of those suffering from depression can improve and return to daily activities.

Nearly 2 out of 3 depressed persons do not seek treatment.

In fact, a majority of depressed people are seen initially in primary care setting, where their depression is not diagnosed and its symptoms frequently are inappropriately treated.

If depressive illnesses are left untreated, they can be fatal.

The Journal of the American Medical Association has reported that 95% of all suicides occur at the peak of a depressive episode.

Untreated depression is the #1 cause of suicide.

FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE

Suicide is a major public health problem.

It is the 8th leading cause of death in the US, with about 31,000 suicides each year, and the 2nd leading cause of death in young people age 15 - 24.

More people die from suicide than from homicide in the United States.

About 60% of all suicides are committed with a firearm.

Males are at least four times more likely to die from suicide than are females.

However, females are twice as likely to attempt suicide.

Among young adults, American Indian/Alaskan Native men and women, aged 15 -24 had the highest rate of suicide deaths for the period 1982 - 1991.

The elderly make up 13% of the population but commit about 20% of the suicides.

Almost all people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder or both.

Over 60% of all people who commit suicide suffer from major depression.

Studies have shown that more than half of suicide victims sought medical help within six months before their death.

Suicide victims are not trying to end their life, they are trying to end the pain.

Suicide is a consequence of the failure of the system, not of the individual.

DANGER SIGNS OF SUICIDE

Loss of interest in things one cares about.
Statements about hopelessness, helplessness.
Or worthlessness.
Preoccupation with death.
Talking about suicide.
Suddenly happier, calmer.
Visiting or calling people one cares about.
Making arrangements; setting one's affairs in order.
Giving things away.

A suicidal person urgently needs to seek professional help.

YOUTH

Approximately one-half of all teenage suicide victims have made a previous suicide attempt.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college age youth.

In 1996 there were 298 suicide deaths of children aged 10-14.

Depression, alcohol or drug use and aggressive or disruptive behavior are strong risk factors for suicide attempts in youth.

The incidence of suicide among youth age 15-24 years has tripled over the last 40 years.

The rate among 15-19 year olds has quadrupled.

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE IN THE ELDERLY

Depression is NOT part of the aging process.

Depressive illnesses are major risk factors for suicide in the elderly.

Before a diagnosis of depression is made, a complete physical exam is needed.

Other physical diseases (Parkinson?s multiple sclerosis, diabetes, thyroid disorders, some viral infections, strokes and tumors) and certain medications (steroids, hormones, blood pressure and arthritis medications) can mimic the symptoms of depression and can CAUSE a chemical imbalance in the brain.

As many as 75% of depressed older Americans are not receiving treatment, placing them at an increased risk of suicide.

The elderly make up 13% of the population but commit about 20% of the suicides.

Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.

Firearms are the most common method of suicide in the elderly.

One of the biggest obstacles to getting help for clinical depression can be a person's attitude.

Many people think that depression will go away by itself, or that they're too old to get help, or that getting help is a sign of weakness or moral failing.

Such views are simply wrong.

WYOMING STATISTICS, 1996

Wyoming's rate of suicide ranked 5th in the nation.

Suicide was the 7th leading cause of death within the State.

It is estimated that 2,592 years of potential life were lost due to suicide.

There were 91 suicides within the State.

Laramie County had the highest number of suicides at 16, followed by Natrona County with 10.

Suicide was the second leading cause of death for persons age 15 -24 years, behind unintentional injuries.

Suicide was also the second leading cause of death in the 25-44 age group, behind unintentional injuries.

There were 15 suicides by young people, ages 15-24.

Twelve of the 15 were committed by males.

Twenty of the State?s 91 suicides were committed by persons over the age of 65.

Nineteen of these suicides were committed by men. Wyoming?s rate of suicide of 19 per 100,000 population is well above the national average of 12 per 100,000 population.

The Division of Behavioral Health has undertaken an important initiative on depression and suicide prevention. Wyoming, like other states within the Rocky Mountain Region, is experiencing a high rate of suicide affecting all age groups. Goals of this campaign are to raise awareness of suicide, impact the rate of suicide in our state, and minimize the devastating effects resulting from depression and other mental disorders.

The purpose of the information on this site is to provide information on suicide and depression. It is NOT intended to be used for crisis prevention or intervention.

USE OF THIS SITE SHOULD NOT BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR SEEKING PROFESSIONAL CARE.
IF YOU ARE FEELING SUICIDAL, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY.

janet paterson
53 now / 44 dx cd / 43 onset cd / 41 dx pd / 37 onset pd
tel: 613 256 8340 url: "http://www.geocities.com/janet313/"
email: "[log in to unmask]" smail: PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario K0A 1A0 Canada