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Depression
Depression in the Elderly
Depression among senior citizens is a more common
problem then people might think. Statistics show that
approximately 6 million Americans age 65 and older suffer
from depression. Among them, only 10 percent receive
proper treatment. Unfortunately, late-life depression is
usually confused with the effects of the multiple
illnesses associated with this age and the medication
used for their treatment, or it is consider normal among
elders. However, it must be emphasized that depression is
NOT a part of the normal aging.
| Growing
old can offers many advantages such as becoming
more wise, patient and content with the life, but
it can also be the cause of several
disadvantages. The body slows down which leads to
a decline in energy level and efficiency, an
increased risk for medical problems, declining
ability to live life as one used to, and in some
cases, the loss of independence. Getting older
also means retirement, losing social networks,
decrease in income, family members, and
relocating or changing residences - all of which
can lead to depression. Left undiagnosed or
treated, depression can cause emotional pain for
elders and their families. |
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Depression in seniors does not have to
be confused with temporary down moods, sad feelings, and
lethargy caused by disturbing or upsetting events.
Depression is characterized by a persistent down mood
that does not improve over time and interferes with the
normal functions and activities.
The symptoms of depression in the elderly often
include:
- Agitation, anxiety, and irritability.
- Sadness, lack of good mood, and inability to
laugh.
- Lack of interest or incapacity to feel pleasure
in normal activities that were pleasant in the
past.
- Persistent, vague or unexplained physical
complaints.
- Appetite and weight changes (overeating, weight
loss or gain).
- Sleep disturbance such as daytime sleepiness,
difficulties falling asleep, multiple mid-night
awakenings or early morning awakening.
- Lack of energy and increased fatigue.
- Discouragement, hopelessness, and worthlessness
feelings.
- Excessive or inappropriate guilt.
- Memory problems and difficulties concentrating.
- Social withdrawal and isolation.
- Negligence about personal care.
- Confusion, delusions, or hallucinations.
- Prolong grief after a loss.
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Depression in seniors can have multiple causes, which
include:
1. Psychological factors:
- Unresolved or repressed traumatic events or experiences
from childhood or late life.
- Previous history of depression.
- Body image problems caused by amputations, cancer
surgery, or heart attack.
- Fear of death.
- Frustration caused by memory loss.
- Difficulties adjusting with challenging situations or
conditions such as the loss of family members or close
friends, loss of independency, or changes in housing and
living conditions.
- Certain personality traits such as low self-esteem,
extreme level of dependency on others, pessimism.
2. Environmental factors:
- Loss of one's social network, family members and
friends.
- Retirement (due to the adjusting process caused by
the new role and routine).
- Social or physical isolation.
- Decreased mobility as a result of a medical condition
or losing the driving privileges.
3. Physical factors:
- An inherited tendency toward depression.
- Suffering from certain medical conditions such as
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes and
stroke.
- Certain medication such as: pain medication (codeine or
darvon), high blood pressure drugs (clonidine or
reserpine), hormones (estrogen, progesterone, cortical,
prednisone, anabolic steroids), heart medication (
digitalis or propagator), chemotherapy agents
(cycloserine, tamoxifen, nolvadex, velban, oncoming),
Parkinson’s disease drugs (levadopa or
bromocriptine), arthritis drugs (indomethacin),
tranquilizers or ant anxiety drugs (valium or halcion).
- Neurotransmitters’ imbalance.
- Vascular changes in the brain.
- Chronic or severe pain.
- Substance abuse (alcohol).
Depression, if not diagnosed or treated, decreases the
person’s quality of life and could lead to fatal
consequences such as suicide or non-suicide mortality.
Statistics show that the highest rate of suicide in USA
is among older, white men, and the main cause is
untreated depression.
Depression substantially increases the risk for death
in those that suffer from medical conditions or physical
illnesses. It can increase the impairment resulted from
the medical problem by stopping the improvement progress
and can interfere with person’s ability to follow a
recovery plan and the necessary treatment.
Article by Alina Morrow,
MS Psychology
OmniMedicalSearch.com
Depression
Bibliography
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