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[Home] Depression Screening Test

If You're Over 65 And Feeling Depressed

...Treatment Brings New Hope.

DEPRESSION IS NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGING.

DEPRESSION IS A WHOLE BODY DISORDER

Depression. The darkest moods. Feeling down, empty. Difficulty remembering. Many things just don't interest you any more. Aches and pains that keep coming back. Depression that goes on and on and on for weeks and months is called clinical depression.

Most people think of depression only as sadness and low mood, but clinical depression is far more than the ordinary "down" moods everyone experiences now and then, and which pass after a visit with a friend or a good movie.

Depression is also more than a feeling of grief after losing someone you love. Following such a loss, for many people, a depressed mood is a normal reaction to grief. And these people may find it helpful to join a mutual support group, such as widowed-persons, to talk with others experiencing similar feelings.

However, when a depressed mood continues for some time, whether following a particular event or for no apparent reason, the person may be suffering from clinical depression--an illness that can be treated effectively.

Clinical depression is a whole body disorder. It can affect the way you think and the way you feel, both physically and emotionally.

It isn't "normal" to feel depressed all the time when you get older; in fact, most older people feel satisfied with their lives. Nonetheless, among people 65 and over, as many as 3 out of 100 suffer from clinical depression. It can be serious and can even lead to suicide.

But there is good news. Nearly 80 percent of people with clinical depression can be treated successfully with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Even the most serious depressions usually respond rapidly to the right treatment. But first, depression has to be recognized.

TYPES OF CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Two serious types of clinical depression are major depression and bipolar disorder.

Major Depression: Major depression makes it almost impossible to carry on usual activities, sleep, eat, or enjoy life. Pleasure seems a thing of the past. This type of depression can occur once in a lifetime or, for many people, it can recur several times. People with a major depression need professional treatment.

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness): Another type of depression, bipolar disorder--or manic-depressive illness--leads to severe mood swings, from extreme "lows" to excessive "highs." These states of extreme elation and unbounded energy are called mania. This disorder usually starts when people are in their early twenties. Though unusual for this type of depression to start for the first time in later life, it requires medical treatment, whatever the person's age.

A DEPRESSION SYMPTOM CHECKLIST

Check any symptoms experienced for more than 2 weeks. If four or more of the symptoms for depression or mania have been checked, physical and psychological evaluation by a physician and/or mental health specialist should be sought.

Symptoms of Depression:

If someone has recently experienced a loss, these feelings may be part of a normal grief reaction. But, if the feelings persist with no lifting mood, the person may need professional treatment.

These symptoms may range from moderate to severe. When mania is moderate, only people close to the affected person may be able to spot the symptoms.

Symptoms of Mania

Depression Shares Symptoms with Other Medical Conditions

Some symptoms of depression also occur in other medical conditions. For example, weight loss, sleep disturbance, and low energy also occur in diabetes and heart disease; apathy, poor concentration, and memory loss are also found in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases; and achiness or fatigue may be present in many other conditions. To determine the proper diagnosis, a physician must conduct a thorough evaluation, keeping in mind that depressed older people are more likely to complain of such physical problems rather than expressing sad, anxious, or hopeless feelings.

Depression Can Co-Occur with Other Illnesses

Depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders, though it is frequently unrecognized and untreated. This can lead to unnecessary suffering since depression is usually treatable, even when it co-occurs with other disorders.

Individuals or family members with concerns about the co-occurrence of depression with another illness should discuss these issues with the physician.

Many factors can contribute to depression. Some people become depressed for a combination of reasons. For others, a single factor appears to trigger depression. Some become depressed for no apparent reason. Regardless of the cause, depression needs to be diagnosed and rated.

Some of the contributing factors that are particularly important among older people are:

Medications

Some medicines cause depressive symptoms as side effects. Certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure and arthritis fall in thism category. In addition, different drugs can interact in unforeseen ways when taken together. It is important that each doctor know all the different types and dosages of medicine being taken and discuss them with the patient.

Genetics and Family History

Depression runs in families. Children of depressed parents have a higher risk of being depressed themselves. Some people probably have a biological make-up that makes them particularly vulnerable.

Certain personalities--people with low self-esteem or who are very dependent on others--seem to be vulnerable to depression.

Life Events

The death of a loved one, divorce, moving to a new place, money problems, or any sort of loss have all been linked to depression. People without relatives or friends to help may have even more difficulty coping with their losses. Sadness and grief are normal responses to loss, but if they linger or are severe, professional help should be sought.

HELP FOR DEPRESSION

One of the biggest obstacles to getting help for clinical depression can be a person's attitude. Many people think that depression will go away by itself, or that they're too old to get help, or that getting help is a sign of weakness or moral failing. Such views are simply wrong.

Depression is a treatable disorder. Even the most seriously depressed person can be treated successfully, often in a matter of weeks, and return to a happier and more fulfilling life. Such outcomes are a common story, even when people feel hopeless and helpless.

There are three major types of treatment for clinical depression: psychotherapy, medication, and, in some cases, other biological treatments. At times, different treatments may be used in combination.

Individuals respond differently to treatments. If after several weeks symptoms have not improved, the treatment plan should be reevaluated. Also, the procedures and possible side effects of all treatments should be fully discussed with the doctor.

People may find that mutual support groups are helpful when combined with other treatments.

Medication

Some depressions may respond best to electro convulsive therapy. ECT is an effective treatment that is used in extremely severe cases of major depression when very rapid improvement is necessary, or when medications cannot be used or have not worked.
Improved procedures make this treatment much safer than in previous years. During treatment, anesthesia and a muscle relaxant protect patients from physical harm and pain.

Research is also being done on the use of light therapy as an adjunct to other treatments.

WHERE TO GET HELP

National advocacy or consumer organizations provide information about depression, sources of treatment, and local community support groups:

INFORMATION ON DEPRESSION