Out of the Blue
The Nature and Treatment of Clinical Depression

Whether you have clinical depression or not, depression touches your life. This informative and entertaining one-day workshop is designed for anyone interested in learning more about depression and its treatment.

What will you learn?

The workshop covers the following topics:

• The types of depression, including major depression, minor depression, bipolar disorder (types 1 and 2), dysthymia, postpartum depression, and "double depression."
• Common myths about depression. Including: Depression is a sign of a weak character. And: Depression is the product of maladjustment. Why these ideas don't hold water.
• The symptoms of depression. Why treating symptoms (and not just causes) can be vital to recovery.
• The causes of depression. Vulnerability factors, triggers, and maintaining factors. How knowing your own risk factors can aid in selecting the elements of treatment.
• The Floating Diamond and the Depression Map. Tools for understanding the development and treatment of depression.
• Is depression genetic? (No, but vulnerability to depression can be.)
• An introduction to brain chemistry. Just what IS serotonin, anyway? What goes wrong in depression? We'll examine a snooker table to understand whether depression is really caused by a biochemical imbalance.
• Medication as one option in treatment. Medication for depression can be tremendously valuable -- but it is just one approach, and is seldom a complete treatment on its own.
• Which psychotherapies work? Psychotherapy can mean almost anything. Only some forms of therapy have good research support.
• Effective self-care strategies. Which simple lifestyle factor has been found in recent research to be as powerful as medication or psychotherapy against depression? (Hint: It's as close as your front door, it's free, and it has no side effects.)

Who should attend?

Almost anyone can benefit from learning more about depression, because almost everyone is bound to come into contact with it at some point in their lives -- either personally or through family or work. As well, the lifestyle recommendations that help protect people from depression can also help almost anyone to lead a more enjoyable life. The seminar is likely to be most interesting to:

• People who have experienced depression themselves.
• Family and friends of people who experience depression.
• Managers and human resources staff.
• People in human service organizations, including those in peer counseling positions.
• Policy makers.
• Professional caregivers wanting a brush-up on current knowledge.

Who is the presenter?

The presenter is Dr Randy Paterson, psychologist, director of Changeways Clinic, and author of the popular press books Your Depression Map and The Assertiveness Workbook. For over 15 years, Dr Paterson has been providing training programs for psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, and other professionals. Topics have included depression, anxiety disorders, and related difficulties. Over 2000 providers have attended his workshops across Canada, as well as in Australia and China. He has served as a consultant for British Columbia's Depression Strategy, and with Dr Dan Bilsker has coauthored the Self-Care Depression Program.

Is this a treatment program?

No. Out of the Blue is an instructional program designed to provide information about the nature of depression and its treatment. It is not treatment in itself, and is not a substitute for care from a physician or other professional.

How do you register?

Early registration is strongly recommended, as the seminar may fill to capacity. Simply download a registration form by selecting from the table at the top of this page (for a version in Adobe Acrobat). Complete the form and mail or fax it in with your cheque or credit card information. We regret that we are not set up for online registration or for credit card payments at this time.

Please send the completed form with your cheque or money order (made out to Changeways Clinic ), or credit card info, to:

Changeways Clinic
Suite 509
2525 Willow Street
Vancouver BC
V5Z 3N8

If you are paying by credit card, you can fax your form to us at:

604 871 0495

For information, call us at 604 871 0490 or email us at workshops@changeways.com.

Cancellations: Full refunds are available for cancellations received by one week in advance of the workshop. Cancellations between 7 days and 24 hours before the workshop are eligible for a credit for future seminars.

Breaks: Coffee and tea will be available at breaks morning and afternoon. Lunch will be 12 - 1:15, and is not included in the seminar fee. Inexpensive restaurants are nearby all sites.

Please make your cheque payable to "Changeways Clinic."

Space is limited, so register early!

Note that this program may sell out in advance; late tickets may not be available. If the program fills, the table at the top of this web page will be updated saying so.

Receipts will be provided at the seminar.