DEPRESSION INFORMATION FOR YOU
A GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS
Source: Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002
Depression is quite common in older adults
Depression is a medical condition that affects 19 million Americans each year. Experts estimate that 15 out of every 100 adults will experience a depressive episode at some point during their elderly years.
But depression is not a normal part of aging, and it should not go overlooked and untreated in older adults.
Remember, if you are an older adult with depression, you are not alone. Help is available.
What depression is
Everyone gets sad sometimes-a brief blue mood, disappointments, grief after losing a loved one. Depression, though, is different. Depression is not just a case of the blues. For example, people who are sad or grieving typically can contribute with their usual daily routines, but depressed people have symptoms over a longer period of time (2 weeks or more) that interfere with their ability to function like they normally do.
Depression is a very real and serious medical illness often caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Much like diabetes, asthma , or heart disease, depression is a disease that requires medical attention and treatment. Otherwise, if left untreated, depression can last months or, in some cases, years.
If left untreated in older adults, depression can:
What depression is not
In older adults living in the
U.S., depression is often overlooked and left untreated. One reason that this
sometimes happens is that there are people who incorrectly believe that
depression is a normal part of the aging process. (Depression is not a normal part of aging for anyone.)
As a result, some older adults unfortunately continue holding onto the mistaken belief that they have to “stay strong and tough it out.” Simply put, people of all ages need to understand that telling loved ones or healthcare professionals about symptoms of depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a character flaw. In fact , telling people that you are having symptoms of depression is an extremely important first step to getting help…and getting better.
Some common symptoms of depression in older
adults
Among older adults suffering from depression, the following symptoms may be seen:
· Persistent sadness (every day, lasting all or nearly all day, for 2 weeks or more)
· Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
· Feeling slowed down
· Excessive worries about health and financial problems
· Frequent tearfulness
· Changes in weight
· Pacing and fidgeting
· Difficulty sleeping
· Difficulty concentrating
· Physical problems (for example, pain or gastrointestinal problems)
· Recurring thoughts of suicide or death
Important note: if you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, seek professional help immediately through your healthcare provider, or call 411 to get the phone number for the nearest local suicide hotline.
In older adults, other illnesses can play a
role in causing-or worsening-depression
Other medical illnesses can trigger depression in many older adults. Depression, in turn, can often worsen the symptoms of these other illnesses. Below is a list of some of the illnesses frequently associated with depression in older adults:
· Cancer
· Parkinson’s disease
· Heart disease
· Stroke
· Alzheimer’s disease
· Arthritis
· Diabetes
· Physical disabilities
Good news: with proper treatment, more than
80% of people with depression can improve
There are 2 main treatments for depression-counseling, also called psychotherapy, and medication. For some people, either treatment may be sufficient. For others, the most effective therapy is a combination of the 2 treatments.
Counseling, or psychotherapy, is often called “talk” therapy, and
it comes in many forms. Basically, psychotherapy is aimed at helping a person
develop new ways to cope with problems, and to identify and understand more
about depression and how to avoid it in the future. Psychotherapy may take
place in individual, group, or family sessions, and the process itself may take
some time before it is effective.
Antidepressant
medication
Works by helping to correct the imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. These medications may take several weeks to be effective, but they work well and are generally safe. There are 3 main groups of antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). SSRIs are the newest class of antidepressants. They help to relieve the symptoms of depression by increasing the available supply of serotonin, a substance in the brain believed to influence mood.
If your healthcare provider does prescribe
an antidepressant for you
Be sure to tell him or her if you are taking any other medications, including those obtained over the counter. This is especially important for older adults, who often take many different medications.
Follow all of your health care provider’s instructions about how and when you should take your antidepressant medication. If you experience side effects at any point while you are taking a medication prescribed by your healthcare professional, contact him or her as soon as possible to share this information.
It is important to take your medication as long as your healthcare provider instructs, even if you start feeling better, because otherwise your depression could return or worsen. And remember, studies show most antidepressants are not addictive, particularly the newer classes of antidepressants such as SSRIs.
In addition to therapy and medication, there are other things that depressed people can do that may help them start feeling better, including: exercising, improving their diet, establishing a normal full-night sleeping schedule, and reducing or eliminating caffeine and alcohol. To find out which of these or other suggestions might be right for you, talk with your healthcare provider.
For more information, contact:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI of Greater Chicago
1536 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago,IL
60642
(312) 563-0445
Fax
312-563-0467
www.namigc.org