Depression in Older Adults

What is depression?

Depression is a condition that causes you to feel sad, hopeless, and uninterested in daily life. Depression can be mild to severe. It can last for a short time or a long time.

Depression is a common problem among older adults, but it is not a normal part of aging. In fact, studies show that older adults generally feel satisfied with their lives, even though they have more medical problems. When depression does occur, it is important to get treatment. Untreated depression can lead to other emotional problems, even suicide.

How does it occur?

The exact cause of depression is not known. It may result from chemical imbalances in the brain and nervous system.

Illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease or cancer, can contribute to depression. Some medicines can cause depression or make a mild case of depression worse. Life situations such as loss and loneliness may also cause depression.

Depression tends to run in families, or at least how we cope with depression runs in families. We learn coping skills from our families and may respond similarly to the same issues. It appears that both physical and psychological makeup along with social factors help determine if you will become clinically depressed.

What are the symptoms?

You may feel sad and blue. You may find that you are cutting back on activities that you normally enjoy. You may:

• Lose your appetite and start losing weight.
• Eat more than usual, and gain weight.
• Have trouble going to sleep or you may wake during the night and not be able to fall asleep again.
• Lack energy or feel very tired.

Depressed older people are more likely to complain of physical problems than that they are feeling sad, anxious, or hopeless. Tiredness, mood changes, sleepiness, and memory problems may be side effects of medicines rather than symptoms of depression. Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease, can also cause similar symptoms.

How is it diagnosed?

If you are an older adult, anytime you have signs of depression, you should see your healthcare provider for a complete medical checkup. The checkup should include a list of all the medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, and any alternative or herbal treatments you take. You may have lab tests to check for other medical problems. Your healthcare provider or a mental health professional can tell you if your symptoms are caused by depression.

How is it treated?

Many older adults think that they are too old to get help, or that getting help is a sign of weakness. This is not true. Depression is a physical illness and rarely goes away by itself. Depression can be successfully treated with therapy, medicine, or most successfully with both.

Several types of medicines can help treat depression. However, some medicines, such as benzodiazepines, digoxin, and some beta blockers, can add to the symptoms of depression. Be sure that your healthcare provider knows about all of the medicines you are taking. Check with your provider before taking any new medicines, either nonprescription drugs or drugs prescribed by other healthcare providers.

Counseling and therapy are very helpful. Therapy may last a short time or may need to go on for many months. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a way to help identify and change thought processes that can lead to depression. Replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones can help you overcome depression.

How long will the effects last?

Often depression lasts a few weeks and never comes again. It can also last months or years. Some people have depression off and on over their lifetime.

If you are not eating well or getting enough exercise because you are depressed, you will have less energy and stamina and other health problems you have may worsen.

How can I help take care of myself and help prevent depression?

Having a healthy lifestyle is important. To help you feel better:

• Exercise for at least 20 minutes every day. For example, take walks.
• Learn which activities help you feel better and do them often.
• Talk to family and friends.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
• Learn and practice ways to lower stress, such as breathing exercises or relaxation techniques.
• Have regular checkups.