One approach to the clinical problem of defining the neural substrates of human depressive disorders is to model discrete aspects of affective psychopathology in animals. Two major methodological problems have hindered the development of valid animals models of depression. First, individual responses to the manipulations commonly used to model depression are highly variable. Second, reliable and valid measures of hedonic state remain elusive. This thesis describes experimental work which addresses these methodological concerns. Selective breeding based on individual responses to cholinergic challenge has resulted in a putative genetic model of depression, the <I>Flinders Sensitive Line hypercholinergic rat</I> (FSL). An examination of the affective status of the FSL described in this thesis confirms that selective breeding can generate interesting behavioural and neurochemical phenomena, but does not support the FSL's validity as a model of anhedonia. Problems of measurement of hedonic responsivity are considered both in the description of a novel dependent measure derived from an operant food reward paradigm; and also in an evaluation of the reliability and validity of standard measurement techniques employed with the '<I>chronic unpredictable mild stress model</I>' (CMS) of anhedonia. Initial validating studies suggest that the food reward paradigm may represent a useful method for assessment of affective state. Manipulation of environmental stimuli to induce CMS led to a partial replication of the target behavioural phenomena. However, the effects were not independent of metabolic consequences that seriously confound the interpretation of experiments employing this procedure. It is concluded that future advances in the development of valid models of depression will require a shift of emphasis towards combined manipulations of genetic predisposition and of specific critical environmental stimuli.

Social defeat is an ethologically relevant stressor that utilizes the natural establishment of social rank in male rodents and has been shown to be relevant to major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the present study, we wished to establish a social defeat stress model in combination with the chronic unpredictable stress model, which is considered a mild stressor to the rodent. In this way, we create a “double hit” model that may more accurately mimic severe stress that is common in both MDD and PTSD. In the present study, residents established dominance over the intruder for 10 consecutive days. In addition, social defeat stress was followed by another stressor given at random times during each day, i.e. chronic unpredictable stress. These unpredictable stressors included 30 min restraint, 1 h shaking/crowding, a cold water swim, a warm water swim or a tipped cage for 24 h. In one cohort of animals, brain tissue was taken 24 h after the last stressor for DNA. In a second cohort, animals were tested on a sucrose preference test in which two bottles containing 0.8% sucrose was placed on their cages for 3 consecutive days (days 8-10 of social defeat stress), and the total amount of sucrose was calculated relative to total volume consumed. Brain tissue analyses revealed significantly elevated DNA oxidation in white matter comparing stressed animals to non-stressed controls, consistent with what has been found in post-mortem white matter from MDD subjects. Further, animals given the social defeat + chronic unpredictable stress demonstrated a deficit in sucrose preference, a natural reward, revealing that these animals were anhedonic as compared to controls. Stressed animals also demonstrated fear of the intruder in a social interaction test performed one day after the social defeat/chronic unpredictable stress was complete. Therefore, it appears that social defeat plus chronic unpredictable stress produces a phenotype relevant to clinical data in humans.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Résumé : Les liens entre les maladies dermatologiques et les troubles de santé mentale, dont la dépression, sont reconnus depuis longtemps. Cependant, peu d’études de population ont examiné cette problématique et aucune n’a été faite auprès des aînés. Le but de ce mémoire est d’explorer l’association entre les affections dermatologiques et les troubles dépressifs chez les personnes âgées vivant à domicile. Pour ce faire, deux études ont été réalisées. La première visait à décrire les caractéristiques dermatologiques de la population à l’étude et la deuxième avait pour but de tester l’hypothèse d’une association bidirectionnelle entre les problèmes mentionnés. Il s’agit d’une analyse secondaire des données de l’Enquête sur la Santé des Aînés (ESA) qui a été menée auprès d’un échantillon représentatif de la population âgée (≥ 65 ans) vivant à domicile au Québec. Des mesures répétées à un an d’intervalle (T1 et T2) ont été obtenues auprès de 2 cohortes successives fixes. Les données de l’enquête ESA ont été appariées à celles des registres de la Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Les troubles dépressifs ont été définis en se basant sur les critères du DSM-IV et les affections dermatologiques ont été mesurées à partir de deux sources de données (enquête et registres administratifs de la RAMQ). Des modèles autorégressifs bivariés ont été utilisés pour tester l’hypothèse d’association bidirectionnelle entre les affections dermatologiques et les troubles dépressifs. Nos résultats ont montré que près de 13% et 21% des répondants ont rapporté des affections dermatologiques auto-rapportées ou avaient été diagnostiqués selon les registres de la RAMQ. En plus, près de 6% des participants rapportaient un trouble dépressif probable au T1 et au T2. Nos résultats suggèrent la présence d’une association synchronique (transversale) entre les affections dermatologiques et les troubles dépressifs. Ce projet souligne l’importance d’évaluer et d’explorer la cooccurrence de ces deux pathologies afin d’améliorer la prise en charge des individus atteints simultanément par ces deux problèmes. Nous suggérons l'inclusion des affections dermatologiques dans les futures études épidémiologiques visant à explorer les liens entre les troubles de santé mentale et de santé physique chez les personnes âgées.//Abstract : The relationship between skin conditions and mental health disorders, which includes depression, has long been recognized. However, few population - based studies have examined this issue and none were carried out in older - adults. The aim of this project was to explore the associations between skin conditions and depressive disorders affecting the elderly living at home. To do this, two studies were conducted; the first aimed to describe the dermatological features of the study population. The second was designed to test the hypothesis of a bidirectional association between the conditions mentioned above. We carried out secondary data analyses from data collected in the Study on the Health of Seniors (ESA ) survey, which consisted of a representative sample of the elderly population (≥ 65 years) living at home in Quebec. Two repeated measurements one year apart (T1 and T2) were obtained from two fixed successive cohorts. Participants in both phases of the investigation and with available health service information from Quebec’s health insurance plan agency (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec - RAMQ) were selected for this project. Depressive disorders were defined based on DSM - IV criteria and dermatological conditions were measured from two data sources (survey and administrative records). Cross - lagged panel models were used to test the hypothesis of association between the two mentioned conditions. Our results showed that nearly 13% and 21% of respondents have self - reported and diagnosed skin conditions, respectively. In addition, about 6% of participants reported symptoms that were consistent with a probable depressive disorder on T1 and T2. Our results suggested the presence of synchronous (cross - sectional) associations between skin conditions and depressive disorders in the elderly. This research highlights the importance of assessing and exploring the co - occurrence of these two conditions to improve the management of individuals who are affected. We suggest the inclusion of dermatological conditions in future/further studies exploring the comorbidity between mental and physical health in the older adults.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T14:21:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiza de Marilac Ribeiro Cardoso.pdf: 911836 bytes, checksum: 07b849ac79584ad355a0c0623415af0f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-04-30 / This study aims to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise in connection with generalized reinforcers on the intensity of depression in people diagnosed by psychiatrists as depressed disorders. The subjects were two female adolescents, who were presented with behavior indicating depression. A reversion outline in the pattern ABAB-B was used to demonstrate the control of the procedures adopted, over a period of five months, distributed into 48 sessions of 60 minutes for the participants, as follows: Baseline I (BLI) composed of 6 sessions, followed by an intervention phase (INT-I) with 12 sessions; return to Baseline (BL-II) with 6 sessions, followed by two other intervention phases (INT-II and INT-III), the last of which conducted 30 days after INT-II. Data collecting was conducted through register sheets (RS) registering participants emotional conditions, RS-1 and RS-2 have been filled out by participants themselves, where as RS-3 by a family member. Research data show that regular aerobic exercise, in connection with generalized reinforcers efforts proved effective in reducing depression intensity. Next, analogous considerations under the prism of behaviorist concepts were developed. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar efeitos da aplicação do exercício aeróbio associado aos reforçadores generalizados sobre a intensidade da depressão em pessoas diagnosticadas por psiquiatras com o transtorno depressivo. Participaram da pesquisa duas adolescentes do sexo feminino, que apresentavam comportamentos indicativos de depressão. Um delineamento de reversão no formato ABAB-B foi utilizado para demonstrar o controle dos procedimentos utilizados, durante um período de cinco meses distribuídos em 48 sessões de 60 minutos para ambas participantes, assim especificados: Linha de base I (LB-I) composta de 6 sessões, seguida por uma fase de intervenção (INT-I) com 12 sessões; retorno à fase de linha de base (LB-II) com 6 sessões, seguida por outras duas fases de intervenção (INT-II e INT-III), sendo a última após 30 dias do final da INT-II. A coleta de dados foi feita através de folhas de registro (FR) sobre o estado emocional das participantes, sendo a FR-1 e a FR-2 preenchidas pelas mesmas e a FR-3 preenchida por um membro da família. Os dados da pesquisa mostraram que a prática do exercício aeróbio regular, associado aos reforçadores generalizados, foi efetiva na redução da intensidade da depressão. Em seguida, se desenvolveram considerações análogas sob o enfoque dos conceitos comportamentalistas.

A falta de conhecimento dos sintomas e das variantes da depressão é apontada como um dos fatores responsáveis pela deficiência na identificação e no cuidado do profissional enfermeiro aos pacientes deprimidos. A educação a distância pode ser uma alternativa para acelerar o processo de disseminação desses conhecimentos bem como atingir um grande contingente de profissionais, sendo possível inclusive combinar educação e certificação. A presente pesquisa objetivou elaborar material didático sobre transtornos depressivos para ser utilizado em sistemas de ensino à distância. Trata-se de uma pesquisa aplicada, motivada essencialmente pela necessidade de resolver um problema concreto e imediato. Perpassa também o campo da pesquisa descritiva, visto que, descreve o processo de elaboração e análise do referido material didático. Este processo constitui-se em 3 momentos: o primeiro momento ocupou-se do levantamento bibliográfico sobre depressão, desenvolvendo e preparando o material didático para a educação à distância. Foi uma tarefa que exigiu cuidados técnicos e pedagógicos; o segundo constou de identificação da opinião dos especialistas sobre o material. Após a leitura e a análise, os especialistas fizeram recomendações e preencheram um questionário analisando o material; o último constou da análise, adequação e apresentação do material didático produzido. Na reformulação e apresentação dos resultados buscou-se abordar os principais aspectos incorporados ao material didático construído. A produção do material didático não é dissociada da teoria pedagógica, estão intimamente ligados. Isso quer dizer que é necessário coordenar as atividades de montagem do material didático sobre transtornos depressivos de educação na Internet, conjugando conhecimentos do conteúdo, da pedagogia, informática, psicologia, comunicação, marketing, entre outros. Esta pesquisa inclui o diagnóstico, o contexto, a conduta de entrada, prioridades, objetivos, conteúdo, recursos, métodos e avaliação e foi estruturada em nove módulos contendo informações gerais e aspectos relativos aos transtornos depressivos, como: história, conceitos, epidemiologia, fatores de risco, classificação, diagnóstico, tratamento, suicídio e os respectivos cuidados de enfermagem. As considerações finais desta pesquisa apontam para algumas reflexões: o principal aspecto a ser considerado em qualquer processo educacional e na elaboração de material didático é a fundamentação pedagógica; deve primeiramente levar em consideração o aluno nas suas especificidades e ser útil no atendimento às necessidades detectadas; ocorreram dificuldades decorrentes da falta de acessoria de uma equipe preparada para trabalhar com educação a distância no que se refere às questões relacionadas à pedagogia, à didática e a tecnologia. Pretende-se que este material didático colabore para atender a necessidade de formação e/ou atualização dos profissionais e acadêmicos de enfermagem e outros profissionais da saúde no atendimento ao portador de transtorno depressivo, à sua família e a comunidade. / Lack of knowledge is indicated as one of the main factors responsible for nursing professionals’ deficient identification and care for depressed patients. Distance education is one alternative for solving educational problems in large countries like Brazil. This study aimed to elaborate and analyze didactical material on depressive disorders for distance education. This applied research was essentially motivated by the need to solve a concrete and immediate problem. The study can also be characterized as descriptive, since it describes the elaboration and analysis process of this didactical material. This process involves 3 moments: in the first phase, a bibliographic survey on depression was realized to develop and prepared the didactical material for distance education. This laborious and extensive task required both technical and pedagogical care; the second phase covered the identification of specialists’ opinions about the material. After their reading and analysis, the specialists made recommendations and filled out a questionnaire to evaluate the material; the last phase covered the analysis, adequation and presentation of the produced didactical material. In reformulating and presenting the results, we attempted to discuss the main aspects that had been incorporated into the constructed material. The production process of a multimedia script is not dichotomized from pedagogical theory; they move along together and not separately. There are no ready formulae. This means that, at the same time, we were responsible for coordinating the editing of the distance education material on depressive disorders, joining knowledge about the contents, pedagogy, informatics, psychology, communication and marketing, among others. The research design included diagnosis and context, access behavior, priorities, objectives, contents, method and evaluation. The material was divided into nine modules with general information and aspects related to depressive disorders, such as: history, concepts, epidemiology, risk factors, classification, diagnosis, treatment, suicide and the respective nursing care. Our final research considerations point out a number of reflections: the main aspect to be considered in any educational process and in the elaboration of didactical material is its pedagogical foundation; first, it should take into account the student’s peculiarities and be useful in attending to the detected needs; difficulties resulted from the lack of accessories for a team that was prepared to work with distance education in terms of pedagogical, didactical and technological questions. We produced this didactical material to collaborate with efforts to satisfy the education and/or updating needs of nursing professionals, nurse academics and other health professionals in care delivery to depressive disorder patients, their family and the community.

Bakgrund Ett stort antal människor världen över lider idag av depression. Fysisk aktivitet har dokumenterat positiv effekt på fysiskt välmående och rekommenderas som en del i en hälsosam livsstil. Kopplingen mellan fysisk aktivitet och psykisk hälsa är inte fastställd med samma säkerhet, men forskningen tyder på att träning kan hjälpa till att förebygga eller lindra depressiva symtom. Målet med denna studie är att utforska om fysisk aktivitet har effekt vid behandling av depression. Enligt Dorothea Orems teori är egenvård grundläggande för tillfrisknande och välbefinnande. Att ge adekvat vägledning för detta är en viktig del i sjuksköterskans dagliga arbete.   Syfte Att undersöka evidensen för fysisk aktivitet som behandlingsform vid egentlig depression.   Metod Litteraturstudie baserat på tio vetenskapliga originalartiklar publicerade i PubMed eller CINHAL mellan 2004 och 2016. En systematisk litteraturstudie har utförts där kvaliteten på den litteratur som använts har granskats och bedömts enligt checklista för kvalitetsbedömning av randomiserade, kontrollerade studier.   Resultat En majoritet av de granskade studierna påvisar lindring av depressiva symtom vid fysisk aktivitet. Träning i olika utföranden visar sig effektiv i sig själv eller som tillägg till annan behandling vid egentlig depression av varierande svårighet. Huruvida träningsform, intensitet eller grad av fysisk träning har betydelse för behandlingen kunde inte klart säkerställas.   Slutsats Egentlig depression är en sjukdom som kan yttra sig på många olika sätt och vars behandling oftast består av psykoterapi och farmakologisk behandling. Resultaten i av denna studie understryker värdet av att införa fysisk aktivitet som en del av behandlingen. / Background A large number of people around the world suffer from depression. Physical activity has been proven to have a positive effect on the wellbeing and is recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle. The relationship between physical activity and mental health has not been as entirely determined, although research implies that exercise could help prevent or alleviate depressive symptoms. The aim of this is to further investigate if physical activity has a positive effect on depression. According to Dorothea Orems theory is self-care essential for recovery and well- being. As a nurse it is important to give such guidance in the daily work.   Aim To investigate what evidence there is in favor of physical activity as a form of treatment for patients suffering from major depressive disorder.   Method Literature review based on the results of ten original scientific articles published in the PubMed or CINHAL databases between 2004 and 2016. A literature review has been done where the checklist was used to assess the quality of the included studies.   Results The majority of the studies shows a decrease in depressive symptoms for patients who are physically active. Various forms of exercise seem to be effective on its own or as an addition to standard therapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder of diverse severity.  However, which type of exercise or level of intensity could not be confirmed.    Conclusion Major depressive disorder is expressed in many different ways and the treatment usually consists of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. The results of this study support physical activity as a part of this treatment.

R??sum?? : Les liens entre les maladies dermatologiques et les troubles de sant?? mentale, dont la d??pression, sont reconnus depuis longtemps. Cependant, peu d?????tudes de population ont examin?? cette probl??matique et aucune n???a ??t?? faite aupr??s des a??n??s. Le but de ce m??moire est d???explorer l???association entre les affections dermatologiques et les troubles d??pressifs chez les personnes ??g??es vivant ?? domicile. Pour ce faire, deux ??tudes ont ??t?? r??alis??es. La premi??re visait ?? d??crire les caract??ristiques dermatologiques de la population ?? l?????tude et la deuxi??me avait pour but de tester l???hypoth??se d???une association bidirectionnelle entre les probl??mes mentionn??s. Il s???agit d???une analyse secondaire des donn??es de l???Enqu??te sur la Sant?? des A??n??s (ESA) qui a ??t?? men??e aupr??s d???un ??chantillon repr??sentatif de la population ??g??e (??? 65 ans) vivant ?? domicile au Qu??bec. Des mesures r??p??t??es ?? un an d???intervalle (T1 et T2) ont ??t?? obtenues aupr??s de 2 cohortes successives fixes. Les donn??es de l???enqu??te ESA ont ??t?? appari??es ?? celles des registres de la R??gie de l???assurance maladie du Qu??bec (RAMQ). Les troubles d??pressifs ont ??t?? d??finis en se basant sur les crit??res du DSM-IV et les affections dermatologiques ont ??t?? mesur??es ?? partir de deux sources de donn??es (enqu??te et registres administratifs de la RAMQ). Des mod??les autor??gressifs bivari??s ont ??t?? utilis??s pour tester l???hypoth??se d???association bidirectionnelle entre les affections dermatologiques et les troubles d??pressifs. Nos r??sultats ont montr?? que pr??s de 13% et 21% des r??pondants ont rapport?? des affections dermatologiques auto-rapport??es ou avaient ??t?? diagnostiqu??s selon les registres de la RAMQ. En plus, pr??s de 6% des participants rapportaient un trouble d??pressif probable au T1 et au T2. Nos r??sultats sugg??rent la pr??sence d???une association synchronique (transversale) entre les affections dermatologiques et les troubles d??pressifs. Ce projet souligne l???importance d?????valuer et d???explorer la cooccurrence de ces deux pathologies afin d???am??liorer la prise en charge des individus atteints simultan??ment par ces deux probl??mes. Nous sugg??rons l'inclusion des affections dermatologiques dans les futures ??tudes ??pid??miologiques visant ?? explorer les liens entre les troubles de sant?? mentale et de sant?? physique chez les personnes ??g??es.//Abstract : The relationship between skin conditions and mental health disorders, which includes depression, has long been recognized. However, few population - based studies have examined this issue and none were carried out in older - adults. The aim of this project was to explore the associations between skin conditions and depressive disorders affecting the elderly living at home. To do this, two studies were conducted; the first aimed to describe the dermatological features of the study population. The second was designed to test the hypothesis of a bidirectional association between the conditions mentioned above. We carried out secondary data analyses from data collected in the Study on the Health of Seniors (ESA ) survey, which consisted of a representative sample of the elderly population (??? 65 years) living at home in Quebec. Two repeated measurements one year apart (T1 and T2) were obtained from two fixed successive cohorts. Participants in both phases of the investigation and with available health service information from Quebec???s health insurance plan agency (R??gie de l'assurance maladie du Qu??bec - RAMQ) were selected for this project. Depressive disorders were defined based on DSM - IV criteria and dermatological conditions were measured from two data sources (survey and administrative records). Cross - lagged panel models were used to test the hypothesis of association between the two mentioned conditions. Our results showed that nearly 13% and 21% of respondents have self - reported and diagnosed skin conditions, respectively. In addition, about 6% of participants reported symptoms that were consistent with a probable depressive disorder on T1 and T2. Our results suggested the presence of synchronous (cross - sectional) associations between skin conditions and depressive disorders in the elderly. This research highlights the importance of assessing and exploring the co - occurrence of these two conditions to improve the management of individuals who are affected. We suggest the inclusion of dermatological conditions in future/further studies exploring the comorbidity between mental and physical health in the older adults.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

A falta de conhecimento dos sintomas e das variantes da depressão é apontada como um dos fatores responsáveis pela deficiência na identificação e no cuidado do profissional enfermeiro aos pacientes deprimidos. A educação a distância pode ser uma alternativa para acelerar o processo de disseminação desses conhecimentos bem como atingir um grande contingente de profissionais, sendo possível inclusive combinar educação e certificação. A presente pesquisa objetivou elaborar material didático sobre transtornos depressivos para ser utilizado em sistemas de ensino à distância. Trata-se de uma pesquisa aplicada, motivada essencialmente pela necessidade de resolver um problema concreto e imediato. Perpassa também o campo da pesquisa descritiva, visto que, descreve o processo de elaboração e análise do referido material didático. Este processo constitui-se em 3 momentos: o primeiro momento ocupou-se do levantamento bibliográfico sobre depressão, desenvolvendo e preparando o material didático para a educação à distância. Foi uma tarefa que exigiu cuidados técnicos e pedagógicos; o segundo constou de identificação da opinião dos especialistas sobre o material. Após a leitura e a análise, os especialistas fizeram recomendações e preencheram um questionário analisando o material; o último constou da análise, adequação e apresentação do material didático produzido. Na reformulação e apresentação dos resultados buscou-se abordar os principais aspectos incorporados ao material didático construído. A produção do material didático não é dissociada da teoria pedagógica, estão intimamente ligados. Isso quer dizer que é necessário coordenar as atividades de montagem do material didático sobre transtornos depressivos de educação na Internet, conjugando conhecimentos do conteúdo, da pedagogia, informática, psicologia, comunicação, marketing, entre outros. Esta pesquisa inclui o diagnóstico, o contexto, a conduta de entrada, prioridades, objetivos, conteúdo, recursos, métodos e avaliação e foi estruturada em nove módulos contendo informações gerais e aspectos relativos aos transtornos depressivos, como: história, conceitos, epidemiologia, fatores de risco, classificação, diagnóstico, tratamento, suicídio e os respectivos cuidados de enfermagem. As considerações finais desta pesquisa apontam para algumas reflexões: o principal aspecto a ser considerado em qualquer processo educacional e na elaboração de material didático é a fundamentação pedagógica; deve primeiramente levar em consideração o aluno nas suas especificidades e ser útil no atendimento às necessidades detectadas; ocorreram dificuldades decorrentes da falta de acessoria de uma equipe preparada para trabalhar com educação a distância no que se refere às questões relacionadas à pedagogia, à didática e a tecnologia. Pretende-se que este material didático colabore para atender a necessidade de formação e/ou atualização dos profissionais e acadêmicos de enfermagem e outros profissionais da saúde no atendimento ao portador de transtorno depressivo, à sua família e a comunidade. / Lack of knowledge is indicated as one of the main factors responsible for nursing professionals’ deficient identification and care for depressed patients. Distance education is one alternative for solving educational problems in large countries like Brazil. This study aimed to elaborate and analyze didactical material on depressive disorders for distance education. This applied research was essentially motivated by the need to solve a concrete and immediate problem. The study can also be characterized as descriptive, since it describes the elaboration and analysis process of this didactical material. This process involves 3 moments: in the first phase, a bibliographic survey on depression was realized to develop and prepared the didactical material for distance education. This laborious and extensive task required both technical and pedagogical care; the second phase covered the identification of specialists’ opinions about the material. After their reading and analysis, the specialists made recommendations and filled out a questionnaire to evaluate the material; the last phase covered the analysis, adequation and presentation of the produced didactical material. In reformulating and presenting the results, we attempted to discuss the main aspects that had been incorporated into the constructed material. The production process of a multimedia script is not dichotomized from pedagogical theory; they move along together and not separately. There are no ready formulae. This means that, at the same time, we were responsible for coordinating the editing of the distance education material on depressive disorders, joining knowledge about the contents, pedagogy, informatics, psychology, communication and marketing, among others. The research design included diagnosis and context, access behavior, priorities, objectives, contents, method and evaluation. The material was divided into nine modules with general information and aspects related to depressive disorders, such as: history, concepts, epidemiology, risk factors, classification, diagnosis, treatment, suicide and the respective nursing care. Our final research considerations point out a number of reflections: the main aspect to be considered in any educational process and in the elaboration of didactical material is its pedagogical foundation; first, it should take into account the student’s peculiarities and be useful in attending to the detected needs; difficulties resulted from the lack of accessories for a team that was prepared to work with distance education in terms of pedagogical, didactical and technological questions. We produced this didactical material to collaborate with efforts to satisfy the education and/or updating needs of nursing professionals, nurse academics and other health professionals in care delivery to depressive disorder patients, their family and the community.