May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
What is Depression?
Depressive disorder is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It’s a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care. Some will only experience one depressive episode in a lifetime, but for most, depressive disorder recurs. Without treatment, episodes may last a few months to several years.
Symptoms
Depressive disorder changes how one functions day-to-day, and typically lasts more than two weeks. Common symptoms include:
Causes
Depression does not have a single cause. It can be triggered by a life crisis, physical illness or something else—but it can also occur spontaneously. Scientists believe several factors can contribute to depression:
Treatments
Although depressive disorder can be a devastating illness, it often responds to treatment. The key is to get a specific evaluation and treatment plan. Safety planning is important for individuals who have suicidal thoughts. Treatment plans can include any or a combination of the following:
Well In Mind is here for you. Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointmentor to ask about your EAP benefits.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
What is Anxiety?
We all experience anxiety. Some anxiety motivates us to prepare and practice or keep us alert and cautious. However, when feelings of intense fear and distress become overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday activities, an anxiety disorder may be the cause. All anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent and excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States.
Most Common Anxiety DisordersGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): GAD produces chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday life. This worrying can consume hours each day, making it hard to concentrate or finish daily tasks.
Social Anxiety Disorder: More than shyness, this disorder causes intense fear about social interaction, often driven by irrational worries about humiliation. Someone with this disorder may not take part in conversations, contribute to class discussions or offer their ideas, and may become isolated. Panic attacks are a common reaction to anticipated or forced social interaction.
Panic Disorder: Characterized by panic attacks and sudden feelings of terror sometimes striking repeatedly and without warning. Often mistaken for a heart attack, a panic attack causes powerful physical reactions. Many people will go to desperate measures to avoid an attack, including social isolation.
Phobias: Certain places, events or objects that create powerful reactions of strong, irrational fear.
Scientists believe that many factors combine to cause anxiety disorders:
Well In Mind is here for you. Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointment or to ask about your EAP benefits.
In today’s video with LaTivia Carr, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, we learn some very exciting news about the Magnet re-designation process. Watch it here:
Our New Grad RNs completed an Escape Room activity during a recent Transition to Practice Workshop. These nurses demonstrated exceptional teamwork and critical thinking while learning how to care for and prevent complications with our surgical patients.