Anxiety and Depression

Module C: Lesson 3Grade 11 Active, Healthy Lifestyles

A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada

• Anxiety disorders affect 12% of the population• Many may not seek treatment for their

anxiety• Consider the symptoms mild or normal• Symptoms interfere with help-seeking

• NO weakness associated with seeking help if one is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed

Anxiety Disorders

• Most of us experience anxiety or feel anxious every day

• Concern over lack of control over circumstances• May generate a solution but usually results in

negative thinking • May be an illness – Comes out of nowhere, is excessive, persists for many

weeks without relief or interferes with everyday life

Signs and Symptoms • Shortness of breath • Feelings of unreality• Shakiness • Irritability• Muscle aches and tension

• Insomnia• Tight chest • Restlessness• Racing heart• Sweating and nausea• Choking sensations • Abdominal distress• Numbness or tingling

• Feel short-tempered and apprehensive, fearing that bad things are about to happen

• Can cause significant personal and societal costs • Lost wages• Decreased productivity• Reduced quality of life • Frequent use of health care

services

Types

• Generalized anxiety disorder• Panic disorder• Specific phobias• Social anxiety disorder• Obsessive compulsive disorder• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Causes

• No single explanation for the cause of anxiety disorders – Inherited tendency– Stressful experiences– Shy temperament– Anxious parents– Unpredictable lifestyle

Depression

• Affects a person’s thoughts, moods, feelings, behaviour and physical health

• Not a weakness and cannot treat on own• Medical disorder with a biological and chemical

basis• Genetics or family interaction styles • Stressful life event. • Spontaneously with no specific identifiable cause

• May occur only once, sporadically or chronically

Signs and Symptoms• Lack of interest in normal daily living• Feeling miserable or “down in the dumps” • Feelings of sadness and helplessness or may cry

often• Other signs and symptoms lasting at least two

weeks• Changes in sleep patterns, concentration, weight or

eating patterns, demeanour, self-esteem, and desire to live, gastrointestinal problems, headache and backache

• Different age groups may react differently

Types

• Major depression• Dysthymia• Adjustment disorders• Bipolar disorder• Seasonal affective disorder

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues

Disorder:

Looks Like Feels Like

Self-Assessment of Mental Health

• Choose a self-test you would like to try• Discuss results if desired• Anxiety Test • Coping Skills Test • Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test • Optimism/Pessimism Test • Resilience Test • Self-Esteem Test • Social Anxiety Test

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues

• Review the Mental Health Scenarios to become more acquainted with various mental health issues and some of their signs and symptoms

Prevention Strategies

• Control your feelings through healthy lifestyle practices– Deep breathing, relaxation, guided imagery or

visualization, yoga, meditation and calming self-talk

– Physical exercise• Not a cure but its psychological and physical benefits

can improve the symptoms

Exercise as the Best Preventive Medicine

• Research the benefits of exercise and physical activity for mental-emotional health and present findings in different ways

Seeking Professional Help

• Diagnosis of depression should be left to a health professional

Community Supports and Services

• Research supports and services for mental-emotional health issues available in the local community or in the province

Agency Contact Information

Supports and Services Provided