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| Depressed Seniors May Need to Get Help |
| Tracey Cousineau, LSW-C Outreach Manager |
| 10/09/2007 |
We all feel blue occasionally. Few of
us have escaped the pain of a job loss, a failed relationship, or a
loved one's death. Heartache and
grief are natural parts of life
where most people begin to bounce back after a few days or weeks,
but when sadness persists and interferes with your day-to-day
activities, there's a chance it might be depression.
Many people mistakenly believe that depression is normal for older people,
or that little can be done about it. We
may think depression is a character flaw, a sign of weakness, or
something we should be able to "snap out of”.
While it is true that depression
is more common in older people than in the general population,
it is not an inevitable part of
aging, nor something we can control at will, or something we should be
ashamed of.
Depression is a serious medical disorder with biological causes - just like
high blood pressure or diabetes, and can be treated in most people.
Clinical
depression is more than the blues or a reaction to grief.
If left untreated, the feelings of sorrow, hopelessness and
anxiety can last for months or years, leading to impaired functioning,
isolation, physical ailments and even suicide.
Seniors may have different
symptoms than younger people with depression. They often may have other
health conditions that can make it more difficult to recognize and treat
depression. Here are some signs of depression:
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Loss of energy and enthusiasm, persistent sluggishness
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Inability to concentrate or make decisions
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Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
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Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety, pessimism, indifference
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Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness
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Loss of enjoyment from once pleasurable activities
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Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
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Memory loss
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Withdrawal from social contacts, isolation
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Unexplained aches and pains
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Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If you suspect that someone you care about may be depressed, talk to him or
her about it. Gently ask
questions, listen carefully, and watch for telltale signs, such as
decreased interest in favorite activities.
Recognize that it may be easier
for some people to acknowledge physical changes - such as sleep
difficulties or loss of appetite, than to talk about feelings like
hopelessness.
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Do not ignore remarks about suicide; report them to the person's doctor or encourage the person to seek help immediately from a doctor or suicide prevention program.
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Help the person get evaluated and treated; be prepared to accompany him or her to the doctor if necessary.
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Encourage the individual to follow treatment regimens, like taking medication properly, or to seek different treatment if no improvement is seen.
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Offer emotional support (understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement).
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Reach out to the person - invite her or him to do things; stay in touch with visits and phone calls, and be a good listener.
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Be gentle but persistent in offering help and companionship. People with depression may avoid others or resist offers of help.
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Encourage the person to become involved in activities he or she once enjoyed.
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Do what you can to minimize demands on the person, so she or he does not feel overwhelmed or inadequate.
What may appear to be symptoms of depression may actually be side effects of
medications, or may be caused by another illness.
A doctor will want to rule out
other possible causes of symptoms, so be sure to communicate what
medications are being taken, what other conditions are present, and what
is going on that could be affecting a mood change.
It is very important to remember that mild depression may be
improved with adequate sleep, a healthy diet, exercise, and increased
social activities.
People with more severe depression may need to be treated for a long time -
perhaps for life, much like people with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Patients older than 75 may
respond more slowly to treatment, and may be susceptible to recurring
depression. Negative thoughts and
feelings - such as exhaustion, worthlessness, helplessness, and
hopelessness that accompany a depressive disorder can make getting help
more difficult. It's important to
recognize that these are part of the condition, and, if properly
treated, will improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of
suicide and premature death from other medical conditions.
For more information about depression or to make an appointment, please
contact Health Access Network at 794-6700, or toll free, 1-866-426-4584.