Learning Objectives

By completing this course the healthcare professional will be able to:

1. Identify characteristics of depression
2. Identify benefits of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for depression
3. Identify risk factors for depression
4. Identify outcomes in adults with depression
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the diagnostic criteria of depression
6. Differentiate between bipolar disorder and unipolar depression.

Depression is a psychological disturbance characterized by low self-esteem, decreased motivation, sadness, and difficulty finding pleasure in formerly enjoyable activities.

There are internal causes of depression. These are causes that are psychologically oriented. They tend to be feelings, emotions and/or self-interpretations.

There are also external causes. These are situational factors that are unavoidable. These factors could result in feelings of depression in an individual.

The following topics will be discussed in this training:

• Effects of depression
• What is Depression?
• What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
• What Treatments Are Available for Depression
• What is a Depressive Disorder?
• Types of Depression
• Symptoms of Depression and Mania
• Causes of Depression
• Depression in Women
• Depression in Men
• Depression in the Elderly
• Depression in Children and Adolescents
• Atypical Depression
• Diagnostic Criteria
• Major Depressive Episode
• Manic Episode
• Mixed Episode
• Hypomanic Episode
• Associated Features
• Differential Diagnosis
• Bipolar Depression
• Rapid Cycling, Mixed States and Mania
• Treating Depression
• Consequences of untreated depression
• Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment
• Medications
• Alcohol and Chemical Dependency
• Side Effects
• Herbal Therapy
• Psychotherapies
• Prevalence Major Depression
• Suicide
• Family and Genetic Factors
• Gender Differences
• Biological Factors
• Cognitive Factors
• Causes of Childhood Depression