Lesson 11
Name: ______
DEFINE THE FOLLOWING TERMS
1. Life crisis: an experience that causes a high level of stress
2. Minor depression: a mood disorder accompanied by mild feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and helplessness
3. Major Depression: a mood disorder accompanied by long-lasting feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and helplessness
4. Cognitive behavior therapy: therapy that helps teens identify and deal with sources of depression
5. Antidepressant: a drug used to relieve depression
6. Suicide: the intentional taking of one’s own life
7. Parasuicide: a suicide attempt in which a person does not intend to die
8. Cluster suicides: a series of suicides occurring within a short period of time involving people who are connected in some way
9. Suicide Prevention strategies: techniques that can be used to help prevent a person from thinking about, attempting, and completing suicide
10. Resiliency: the ability to adjust, recover, bounce back, and learn from difficult times
11. Denying: the emotional response used to cope with a life crisis in which you refuse to believe what is happening
12. Being Angry: the emotional response used to cope with a life crisis where you become angry about what is happening
13. Bargaining: the emotional response used to cope with a life crisis where you start making promises, hoping to change what is happening
14. Being Depressed: the emotional response used to cope with a life crisis where you start recognizing the outcome is unlikely to change
15. Accepting: the emotional response used to cope with a life crisis when you accept what is happening, adjusting, and bouncing back
16. Dysthymic disorder: a long lasting form of depression
17. Genetic Predisposition: the inheritance of genes that increase the likelihood of developing a condition
18. Serotonin: a chemical that is involved in controlling states of consciousness and mood
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. List the 5 emotional responses used to cope with life crises.
Denying- refusing to believe what is happening.
Being Angry- about what is happening.
Bargaining- or making promises, hoping to change what is happening.
Being depressed- when recognizing the outcome is unlikely to change.
Accepting- what is happening, adjusting, and bouncing back
2. List the symptoms used to diagnose depression.
Deep sadness
Apathy
Fatigue
Agitation
sleep disturbances
weight or appetite change
lack of concentration
feelings of worthlessness
morbid thoughts
3. Discuss the changes in brain structure.
Between the ages of 14 and 17, there is a “pruning” or clearing of the gray matter. During the “pruning” process the brain is cleared of unused brain cell connections from the gray matter. This clearing process prepares the brain for even deeper brain-cell connections. Teens can then focus more intently and learn things more deeply.
4. List examples of a traumatic family event.
Parents’ divorce
serious illness of a family member
the death of a family member
a parent losing a job
a family member going to jail
the murder abduction or sudden absence of a family member
a family member engaged in a war
abuse by a family member physically sexually or emotionally
5. What is the relationship between teens using alcohol and depression?
Teens that drink alcohol and abuse other drugs have much higher rates of depression. The brain is not fully developed and depressant drugs have an even greater effect on their mood.
6. Teens that have low serotonin levels are at risk for what?
Teens who have lowered serotonin levels are more at risk for depression.
7. What are the five emotional responses that people go through after a loss?
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance
8. How can being depressed affect school performance?
Teens who are depressed may be tired and have difficulty concentrating. This affects their ability to memorize, think, and learn. They may be apathetic and have difficulty getting motivated to do school work.
9. List the treatments for depression.
Physical examination, therapy, medication
10. List some strategies for coping with depression.
Talk with a parent
stay connected with friends
practice healthful behaviors
use anger-management skills
practice stress-management skills
avoid the use of alcohol and other drugs
take steps to develop resiliency
seek treatment to relieve depression
11. List some causes of depression.
Inability to cope with a life crisis
changes in brain structure
genetic predisposition
low serotonin levels
traumatic family events
physical illness and disorders
alcohol/other drugs
12. Why might a teen who is depressed be at risk for addictions?
Teens who are depressed might depend on alcohol and use other drugs to escape from problems or change their mood.
13. What are some risk factors for suicide?
Alcohol or drug abuse, death of a parent, parental separation/divorce, feelings of alienation or rejection, difficulty coping with body changes and sexuality, depression, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and mental disorders.
14. List 8 signs that a teen might be considering a suicide attempt.
1. Making a direct statement about suicide such as “I wish I was never born”
2. Making an indirect statement about suicide, such as “I wonder where I can get a gun.”
3. Having a change in personality
4. Withdrawing from contact with family and friends
5. Losing interest in personal appearance
6. Being preoccupied with death and dying
7. Using alcohol and other drugs
8. Losing interest in schoolwork
9. Giving away possessions
10. Talking about getting even with others
11. Failing to recover from a disappointment or a loss
12. Running away from home
13. Having a close friend or relative who has committed suicide
15. If you are concerned about a teen what are some suicide prevention tips?
1. Look for warning signs when a teen is depressed
2. Listen without giving advice
3. Take a suicide threat seriously
4. Ask if the teen has a specific plan and means to follow through
5. Do not be sworn to secrecy
6. Call a parent, a guardian, or other responsible adult immediately
7. Stay with the teen until professional help arrives
16. How can you develop resiliency?
1. Work on your relationships with members of your family
2. Develop a close relationship with a mentor
3. Choose friends who are supportive and who have responsible behavior
4. Do not put off dealing with your feelings when a difficult situation arises.
5. Avoid choosing harmful behaviors as a way of coping with tough times.
6. Ask for support when you need it.
7. Discuss available support groups with a parent, guardian, mentor, or other responsible adult.
8. Be involved in school activities.
17. What are the differences between minor, major, and dysthymic disorder?
Minor depression is diagnosed with two to four of the nine general symptoms listed for depression that last for at least two weeks, while major depression involves at least five of the nine general symptoms that last for at least two weeks. A Dysthymic disorder is a long lasting form of depression. With this disorder, an adult displays two or more of the nine general symptoms for the majority of days for two or more years for children or teens the time frame is one or more years.
18. How does having a support system promote resiliency?
When you have supportive family members, friends, mentors etc., they can help you work through difficult times. They can help you deal with problems and become more resilient.
19. Why might a person with depression have changes in appetite or weight?
Depressed people might eat more to try to cope with their feelings of worthlessness or less because they lose interest in eating.
20. How do you think exercise helps relieve symptoms of depression?
Exercise can increase endorphins, which can elevate mood.