By Bruce G 
Photo Credit ( Freepik )
Almost everyone experiences “the blues” occasionally. However, experiencing constant depression is not a typical aspect of growing older. You might have clinical depression if you’re dealing with persistent, strong emotions of despair or hopelessness. We’re raising awareness of depression, a condition that impacts over 8% (21 million) of American adults annually, in honor of National Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day in May.One
According to Patrick Raue, a psychologist and professor at the University of Washington, “the majority of older adults in the community are actually doing pretty well emotionally, and their mental health is actually better than that of middle-aged adults, but as we get older, there are many risk factors that can contribute to the possibility of depression,” he told WBUR.
As we age, depression risk can be increased by a number of factors, including social isolation, chronic medical conditions, disability, and lower income, according to Raue.
What signs of depression are present in elderly adults?
Depression is a long-term medical illness and mood disorder. It is typified by depressive, anxious, and/or indifferent feelings that interfere with a person’s capacity to operate normally and endure for at least two weeks. Depression impacts not just how you feel but also how you think and behave. For instance, the typical sadness or grief that follows the death of a loved one is not the same as being clinically depressed.
To what extent does depression affect elderly adults?
The majority of older persons do not have clinical depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That doesn’t lessen the difficulty of the problem for individuals who experience it, though.
Although there is no one precise cause for depression, older people are more likely to experience it. Seniors experience many of the same stressors as younger individuals, but they also have a number of distinct risk factors for depression, including:
What signs of depression are present in elderly adults?
How can you determine whether a loved one or yourself is depressed? Senior depression symptoms and indicators include:
Since depression frequently manifests differently in older age groups than in younger ones, it might be more difficult to identify and diagnose in seniors. Fatigue, for instance, is wrongly associated with aging. Furthermore, untreated depression’s cognitive alterations are frequently confused with dementia.
What is the best way to cure depression in senior citizens?
Even though depression can significantly affect your quality of life, it is very treatable, even if it is severe. Additionally, research shows that treating depression in older persons is just as effective as it is in younger populations.
First, schedule a consultation with your healthcare physician if you suspect depression. First, your doctor can rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. For instance, in older persons, certain drugs and illnesses may cause depression or symptoms similar to it. You might be sent to a mental health expert for additional assessment and treatment if it seems that there are no underlying medical issues contributing to your depression.
Although there isn’t a single treatment that works for depression in older persons, some possible options are as follows:
Antidepressant drugs: When older persons suffer from depression, doctors often prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin and other mood-influencing hormones are believed to be balanced by these non-habit-forming drugs. Other psychotropic drugs might be suitable for treating depression in some circumstances.
Counseling:
Counseling, often known as “talk therapy” or “psychotherapy,” can assist you in recognizing harmful thought patterns and changing your ideas and actions to deal with life’s obstacles in a more constructive and positive manner. Usually, a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other certified mental health specialist is involved. Antidepressant drugs are frequently used in conjunction with counseling to improve outcomes. Many counselors now provide treatment services online. You utilize a computer, smartphone, or tablet to access a secure meeting area where you speak with a therapist one-on-one, much like in a virtual doctor’s appointment (telehealth). If you live far from the offices of your providers or lack dependable transportation, online therapy may be a fantastic substitute for in-person therapy.
ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy: ECT has been used since the 1940s and has been proven to be quite successful in treating serious depression. The brain is stimulated with modest, harmless electrical impulses during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Adults with severe depression whose symptoms have not improved with other therapies are typically the ones who receive this medication. It has been shown to be very effective in treating depression in persons 60 years of age and older.
How can senior citizens safeguard their mental well-being?
Depression generally cannot be avoided. Nonetheless, there are actions you may take to improve your emotional fortitude and mental health:
Get adequate sleep: Getting enough sufficient sleep is essential, especially for older folks. Both irritation and depression can result from sleep deprivation. Try to get between 7 and 9 hours every night.
Keep moving: Exercise can strengthen your heart and lungs and elevate your mood. Additionally, you don’t have to join a costly gym. For older individuals, brisk walking, swimming, and light yard labor are all excellent options.
Be gregarious: Elderly people are more likely to experience loneliness and social isolation, both of which can exacerbate depression. To maintain those relationships, try to keep in touch with friends and family. To find out what events and activities your local senior center offers, stop by. To meet new people and develop a stronger sense of purpose, think about volunteering at a food bank or animal shelter.
Eat well: A nutritious, well-balanced diet is essential for older persons due to their special nutritional requirements. Healthy eating can boost your energy levels and help you avoid illnesses that could indirectly raise your chance of developing depression.
Together, let’s mainstream the fact that it’s okay to not feel okay.
Getting treatment for depression is often seen as a sign of weakness or failure.
However, it’s critical to realize that depression is not a decision. The situation is beyond your control.
Clinical depression necessitates medical management, just like diabetes and hypertension.
The good news is that you can rapidly restore your quality of life and even any lost cognitive abilities once your depression is appropriately treated. Because of this, it’s critical to notify your loved ones, friends, and healthcare professionals as soon as you see any signs of depression. You can get help; you’re not alone.