COURSE OVERVIEW:

While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that has an impact on both physical and mental health.

In any one year, around one million people in Australia experience depression. One in six women and one in eight men will experience depression at some time in their life. The good news is, depression is treatable and effective treatments are available. The sooner a person with depression seeks support, the sooner they can recover.

People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.

Depression is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment. Those who seek treatment often see improvements in symptoms in just a few weeks.

While the exact cause of depression isn’t known, a number of things can be associated with its development. Generally, depression does not result from a single event, but from a combination of biological, psychological, social and lifestyle factors. Depression is often not recognised and can go on for months or even years if left untreated. It’s important to seek support as early as possible, as the sooner a person gets treatment, the sooner they can recover.

Untreated depression can have many negative effects on a person’s life, including serious relationship and family problems, difficulty finding and holding down a job, and drug and alcohol problems. There is no one proven way that people recover from depression. However, there is a range of effective treatments and health professionals who can help people on the road to recovery.

Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your mood, and others affect your body. Symptoms may also be ongoing, or come and go. The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among men, women, and children differently.

This course is designed to address the many questions surrounding depression. The first part explains what depression is. Then discusses the common symptoms of depression as well as the diagnosis process. Then reviews the risk factors for depression. The second part explains the treatment and management options for those suffering from depression. Then discusses depression in older people, children, the medically ill, and women.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to answer the following questions:

• What is depression?
• What causes depression?
• What are the symptoms of depression?
• How is depression diagnosed?
• What are the symptoms of a major depressive episode?
• What are the different types of depression?
• How to differentiate depression from normal sadness?
• Can someone feel depressed, even if they have a good job and a loving family?
• Are there any medical conditions that can be associated with depression?
• Why doctors diagnose patients with depression when they do not feel depressed?
• What is bipolar disorder?
• If someone is depressed and has mood swings. Is he/ she a manic-depressive?
• Does being diagnosed with a mild depression, mean a quicker recovery?
• If someone has been diagnosed with depression, what do they tell their family and friends?
• What risk factors are associated with depression?
• Why are certain people more susceptible to depression?
• If someone has been diagnosed with depression, what are the risks that his/ her children will inherit it?
• How to help a family member who has depression?
• How the symptoms of grief look the same as symptoms of major depression?
• What is the relationship between grief, depression and alcohol abuse?
• If someone has been treated for depression in the past. Can he or she prevent an episode in the future?
• What should be done if a family member is depressed but refuses to see anyone?
• What are the different types of treatment for depression?
• Does the type of depression determine the type of treatment needed?
• What are the different types of talk therapies, and what do they do?
• What is cognitive–behavioural therapy?
• Are there any risks from engaging in psychotherapy?
• How does psychotherapy work if depression is due to a chemical imbalance?
• What are the side effects of medication for depression?
• How long will people with depression have to stay on medication?
• Is medication or therapy more effective for depression?
• Are there any natural remedies for depression?
• Will medication turn patients with depression into a zombie or make them look medicated?
• Why do patients with depression need a mood stabiliser with their antidepressant?
• When is hospitalisation necessary? What does it offer?
• How are alcoholism and depression connected?
• Do children get depressed?
• Why is depression more common in women?
• What are the postpartum blues? Does that mean the person is depressed or will become depressed?
• If a person has low thyroid and take medication and been depressed as well. Will his/ her depression get better on the thyroid treatment?
• Should people with depression inform their employers?
• Can people with depression get depressed again after recovery?
• What is the risk of suicide when someone is diagnosed with depression?

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.