Depression is a common mental disorder that affects mood and can be experienced by elderly individuals. Left untreated, depression can worsen over time and negatively impact quality of life. For seniors, depression is often triggered by difficult life changes like the death of a spouse, loss of independence, or health problems. Treatment options for depression include counseling, support groups, psychotherapy, and medication, which can help most people feel better. It is important to seek help if an older adult is experiencing signs of depression like sadness, fatigue, social withdrawal, appetite changes or sleep disturbances.

1. Depression: In the Elderly
By: Chloe D. McMillan

2. What is Depression?
Depression is a type of
mental disorder that affects
a person’s mood. It can
affect your thoughts,
feelings, behavior, and
overall health. Normal
feelings fall along a
continuum from mild to
intense, and the same is
true of depression. It’s
normal to respond to
losses in ones life with
sadness and gloom. But
when these feelings block
a person from performing
their everyday activities or
are out of line with the
reality of a person’s life,
they are considered
symptoms of a 'depressive
disorder'.
Most people with
depression can be
helped with treatment,
but many depressed
people never get the
help they need. When
depression isn’t
treated, it can get
worse, last longer, and
prevent you from
getting the most out of
your life.

3. There Are Two Kinds of
Depression
The sad kind,
called major
depression, or
dysthymia;
manic-depression
or bipolar illness,
when feeling down
and depressed
alternates with
being speeded-up
and sometimes
acting reckless.

4. When You Are Depressed…
You feel sad or cry a lot and it
doesn't go away.
You feel guilty for no real reason;
you feel like you're no good;
you've lost your confidence.
Life seems meaningless or like
nothing good is ever going to
happen again.
You have a negative attitude a lot
of the time, or it seems like you
have no feelings.
You don't feel like doing a lot of
the things you used to like -- like
music, sports, being with friends,
going out -- and you want to be
left alone most of the time. It's
hard to make up your mind.
You forget lots of things, and it's
hard to concentrate.
You get irritated often. Little
things make you lose your temper;
you overreact.
Your sleep pattern changes; you
start sleeping a lot more or you
have trouble falling asleep at
night. Or you wake up really early
most mornings and can't get back
to sleep.
Your eating habits change; you've
lost your appetite or you eat a lot
more.
You feel restless and tired most of
the time.
You think about death, or feel like
you're dying, or have thoughts
about committing suicide.

5. If You Have Manic Depression..
You feel high as a kite... like you're "on top of the
world".
You get unreal ideas about the great things you
can do... things that you really can't do.
Thoughts go racing through your head; you jump
from one subject to another, and you talk a lot,
sometimes very quickly.
You're a nonstop party, constantly running around.
You do too many wild or risky things: with driving,
with spending money, with sex, etc.
You're so "wired" that you don't need much sleep
or you don't sleep at all some nights.
You're rebellious or irritable and can't get along at
home or school, at work, or with your friends and
family.

6. Talk to Someone
a psychologist
your school counselor
your parents, or a
trusted family member
your health care
provider a professional
at a mental health
center
a teacher or clergy
person

7. Treatment for Depression
Counseling, or psychotherapy, means
talking about feelings with a trained
psychologist who can help you change the
relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that
are causing the depression.
Medication is often used to treat
depression that is severe or disabling.
With treatment, most depressed people
start to feel better in just a few weeks.

8. Depression in the Elderly
The difficult changes that
many elderly individuals
face—such as the death of
a spouse or medical
problems—can lead to
depression, especially in
those without a strong
support system.
But depression is not a
normal or necessary part of
aging.
Left alone, depression not
only prevents older adults
from enjoying life like they
could be, it also takes a
heavy toll on health

9. It is a Problem in Many Older Adults
Loss is painful—whether a loss of
independence, mobility, health, your
long-time career, or someone you
love.
Grieving over these losses is normal,
even if the feelings of sadness last for
weeks or months.
Losing all hope and joy, however, is
not normal. It’s depression.

10. Why is it Sometimes Overlooked??
Some assume seniors have good reason
to be down or that depression is just part of
aging.
Elderly adults are often isolated, with few
around to notice their distress.
Physicians are more likely to ignore
depression in older patients, concentrating
instead on physical complaints.
Finally, many depressed seniors are
reluctant to talk about their feelings or ask
for help.

11. Causes and Risk Factors that
Contribute to Depression
Loneliness and
isolation – Living alone; a
dwindling social circle due
to deaths or relocation;
decreased mobility due to
illness or loss of driving
privileges.
Health problems – Illness
and disability; chronic or
severe pain; cognitive
decline; damage to body
image due to surgery or
disease.
Fears – Fear of death or
dying; anxiety over
financial problems or
health issues.
Medications – Many
prescription medications
can trigger or exacerbate
depression.
Recent bereavement -
The death of friends, family
members, and pets; the
loss of a spouse or partner.
Reduced sense of
purpose - Feelings of
purposelessness or loss of
identity due to retirement or
physical limitations on
activities.

12. Signs and Symptoms
Sadness
Fatigue
Abandoning or losing
interest in hobbies or other
pleasurable pastimes
Social withdrawal and
isolation (reluctance to be
with friends, engage in
activities, or leave home)
Weight loss; loss of
appetite
Sleep disturbances
(difficulty falling asleep or
staying asleep,
oversleeping, or daytime
sleepiness)
Loss of self-worth (worries
about being a burden,
feelings of worthlessness,
self-loathing)
Increased use of alcohol or
other drugs
Fixation on death; suicidal
thoughts or attempts

13. How Can You Help?
Invite your loved one out. Depression is less likely when people’s bodies
and minds remain active. Suggest activities to do together that your loved
one used to enjoy: walks, an art class, a trip to the museum or the movies—
anything that provides mental or physical stimulation.
Schedule regular social activities. Group outings, visits from friends and
family members, or trips to the local senior or community center can help
combat isolation and loneliness. Be gently insistent if your plans are
refused: depressed people often feel better when they’re around others.
Plan and prepare healthy meals. A poor diet can make depression worse,
so make sure your loved one is eating right, with plenty of fruit, vegetables,
whole grains, and some protein at every meal.
Encourage the person to follow through with treatment. Depression
usually recurs when treatment is stopped too soon, so help your loved one
keep up with his or her treatment plan. If it isn’t helping, look into other
medications and therapies.
Make sure all medications are taken as instructed. Remind the person to
obey doctor's orders about the use of alcohol while on medication. Help
them remember when to take their dose.
Watch for suicide warning signs. Seek immediate professional help if you
suspect that your loved one is thinking about suicide

14. Treatment
Supportive counseling includes religious and peer
counseling. It can help ease loneliness and the
hopelessness of depression.
Psychotherapy helps people work through stressful life
changes, heal from losses, and process difficult emotions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change
negative thinking patterns, deal with problems in healthy
ways, and develop better coping skills.
Support groups for depression, illness, or bereavement
connect people with others who are going through the same
challenges. They are a safe place to share experiences,
advice, and encouragement.

15. Remember
No one, whether
they’re 18 or 80,
has to live with
depression.