How Much Do You Know About Depression?

1. Depression peaks at certain life stages. People in which age group are likely to experience it most often?

1. 16 to 24

2. 25 to 44

3. 45 to 49

4. 50 and older

2. A major cause of depression in women is the inability to express or handle:

1. Anger

2. Sadness

3. Jealousy

4. Joy

3. Which of these self-help measures often relieves depression?

1. Staying up all night

2. Drawing

3. Exercising

4. All of the above

4. Which of these behaviors characterizes depression?

1. Hyperactivity

2. Unexplained aggression

3. Loss of interest in all things

4. Rapid mood swings

5. Which of these should you avoid if you're depressed?

1. A romantic relationship

2. A job change

3. Major decisions

4. Eating

6. Which of these are signs your depression is serious enough to need professional help?

1. Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

2. Constant fatigue or listlessness

3. Feeling a little blue

4. A and B

7. How should you respond to a depressed person?

1. Be upbeat

2. Listen

3. Encourage the person to spend time alone

4. Ignore them

8. Which of these approaches will do more harm than good when you're trying to help a depressed person?

1. Offering solutions

2. Scheduling leisure activities

3. Overanalyzing the problem

4. A and C

9. Depression and other mood disorders cost the United States how much in lost work time?

1. million

2. million

3. billion

4. billion

Correct Answers:

1. B. 25 to 44. Women are twice as likely as men to get depressed.

2. A. Anger

3. D. All of the above. Staying up or sleeping only part of the night resets the biological clock, providing temporary relief from insomnia. Drawing helps you express emotions. Exercising produces norepinephrine, which boosts energy and motivation.

4. C. Loss of interest in all things, which usually causes sleeping and eating patterns to suffer. Brief periods of depression are normal.

5. C. Major life decision. Put them off until your depression lifts.

6. D. A and B. Seek help if you experience these problems for more than two weeks.

7. B. Listen.

8. D. A and C.

9. D. billion. People suffering from severe depression take more time off from work than those who suffer from hypertension, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

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