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Depression and the
Elderly
I’m older now, shouldn’t I be
depressed?
One of the most discouraging
comments that I have heard over the years as a geriatric psychologist from many
well-meaning family members, physicians and nursing home staff, are comments
such as; “If I were their age, (or if I were in a nursing home) I would be
depressed too”. These are frequently individuals who mean well, but simply lack
a more balanced perspective of both the healthy aging process and when there may
be reasons for concern. It is not “normal” to feel depressed all the time when
you get older. In fact, most older people feel satisfied with their lives.
However, according to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health,
among people 65 and older, as many as 3 out of 10 suffer from clinical
depression. It can be serious and can even
How do I know if I am depressed?
Many people think of depression as only sadness
and a low mood, but clinical depression is much more than ordinary “down” moods
that everyone may experience from now and then. It is more than a temporary
feeling of grief after losing someone you love or feelings of discouragement. It
is a whole body disorder affecting the way you think and the way you feel, both
physically and emotionally. If you experience 4 or more of the following
symptoms of depression you may want to seek an evaluation by a physician and/or
mental health specialist:
- A persistent sad, anxious or
“empty” mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
in normal activities
- Decreased energy, fatigue,
feeling “slowed down”
- Sleep problems (insomnia,
oversleeping, early-morning waking)
- Eating problems (loss of
appetite or weight, weight gain)
- Difficulty concentrating,
remembering, or making decisions
- Feelings of hopelessness or
pessimism
- Feelings of guilt,
worthlessness, or helplessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide;
a suicide attempt
- Irritability
- Excessive crying
- Recurring aches and pains that
don’t respond to treatment
While this list does not include all of the
depressive symptoms, it does list the main ones that usually come to the
attention of physicians and mental health clinicians.
What happens if I do not get
help?
Current research seems to indicate that
depression not only reduces an individuals quality of life, but also may lead to
increased disability and mortality. Untreated depression has been found to
increase the symptoms of and mortality rates associated with cardiovascular
disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s and a host of other
medical conditions, as well as increasing the level of substance abuse disorders
(including alcohol and prescription drugs).
What can be done?
Various studies indicate that approximately 80-90
% of individuals with clinical depression can be treated successfully with
medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Even the most serious
depressions usually respond well to the right type of treatment. Some of the
newer antidepressants have limited side-effects and improved effectiveness over
the older medications. Many contemporary studies on psychotherapy (counseling)
also indicate that cognitive-behavioral, and some other therapies seem to have
approximately the same level of treatment effectiveness as medications for mild
to moderate depressions. First however, depression needs to be recognized for
what it is as opposed to a “normal part of aging”.
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist
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Mental Health
Diagnosis - DSM-IV
Diagnosis and Codes: Alphabetical Order |
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