Getting older and getting depressed....

When I was considerably younger, I spent some of my professional and educational time studying geriatrics and working with older adults.  I loved the time that I spent in this area.  And doing so awakened a life-long interest in working on mental health issues for older adults.  It is almost surreal to me that I am quickly becoming a member of that age group myself.  And some of the knowledge that I have about older adults and mental illness can certainly be applied to me.  Sigh.  But getting older certainly beats the alternative.  I am still alive.  And the reality is that all of us are aging.  And many of us deal with aging parents or other relatives.  So, I certainly think that talking about seniors and depression is worthwhile.  Here’s the article from NAMI that I am referencing:  http://bit.ly/jPlvgJ

Here are the points that I find particularly useful.  First of all, while many people believe that it is ‘normal’ for older adults to be depressed because of physical and life changes, depression can have serious consequences for an older adult:

• Depression in later life “increases risk for medical illness and cognitive decline”.   

• Untreated depression can lead to suicide and “nonsuicide” death.

Essentially, depression can mean that an older adult becomes disabled or dies far sooner than really necessary.  Getting older does not mean that you are destined to be depressed.  Depression is a disease. Not a natural state just because you are getting older.

Older adults don’t tend to seek help from their doctor for depression.  I think that you can imagine that there is a probability that an older adult would think that admitting to a mood disorder is a sign of weakness.  It is only in recent years that we have become willing to discuss the topic, and older people are certainly not used to this willingness to talk about problems.  And, as this NAMI article points out, depression is frequently missed by medical professionals dealing with elderly persons.

The article makes the point that the symptoms of depression in an older adult might be slightly different than those in a younger person.  Here are the symptoms that NAMI listed:

  

• Memory problems

• Confusion

• Social withdrawal

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Vague complaints of pain

• Inability to sleep

• Irritability

• Delusions (fixed false beliefs)

• Hallucinations

Finally, NAMI makes the point that there is treatment out there.  And older adults can benefit from being treated for depression. If you are older and experiencing the symptoms of depression this is important to know. If you have an older adult loved one with symptoms of depression, you can rest secure in the knowledge that recovery is out there for your family member/friend.  Maybe now is the best time for you to help them find their recovery options.

 

I would like to suggest that you read this article.  It has a great deal more information than what I have shared with you.  In knowledge is power!!