Feeling down every once in a while is a normal part of life, but if these feelings last a few weeks or months, you may have depression. Read this article to find common signs and symptoms of depression, treatment options, and if you or your loved one may be at risk for depression.
Depression is a serious mood disorder. It can affect the way
you feel, act, and think. Depression is a common problem among older adults,
but clinical depression is not a normal part of aging. In fact, studies show
that most older adults feel satisfied with their lives, despite having more
illnesses or physical problems than younger people. However, if you’ve
experienced depression as a younger person, you may be more likely to have
depression as an older adult.
Depression is serious, and treatments are available to help.
For most people, depression gets better with treatment. Counseling, medicine,
or other forms of treatment can help. You do not need to suffer — help and
treatment options are available. Talk with your doctor if you think you
might have depression.
There are several types of depression that older adults may
experience:
- Major Depressive Disorder – includes symptoms lasting at least two weeks that interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily tasks
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) – a depressed mood that lasts more than two years, but the person may still be able to perform daily tasks, unlike someone with Major Depressive Disorder
- Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder – depression related to the use of substances, like alcohol or pain medication
- Depressive Disorder Due to A Medical Condition – depression related to a separate illness, like heart disease or multiple sclerosis.
Other forms of depression include psychotic depression, postmenopausal depression, and seasonal affective disorder.
If you are
thinking about harming yourself, tell someone who can help immediately.
- Do not isolate yourself.
- Call a trusted family member or friend.
- Call 988 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help.
- Make an appointment with your doctor.
Call the 24-hour 988 Suicide & Crisis
Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) or 800-799-4TTY
(800-799-4889).
What are the risk factors of depression?
There are many things that may be risk factors of
depression. For some people, changes in the brain can affect mood and result in
depression. Others may experience depression after a major life event, like a
medical diagnosis or a loved one’s death. Sometimes, those under a lot of
stress — especially people who care for loved ones with a serious illness or
disability — can feel depressed. Others may become depressed for no clear
reason.
Research has shown that these factors are related to the
risk of depression, but do not necessarily cause depression:
- Medical conditions, such as stroke or cancer
- Genes – people who have a family history of depression may be at higher risk
- Stress, including caregiver stress
- Sleep problems
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Lack of exercise or physical activity
- Functional limitations that make engaging in activities of daily living difficult
- Addiction and/or alcoholism —included in Substance-Induced Depressive Disorder
Social isolation and
depression in older adults
Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive. But
as people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. Studies
show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher rates of
depression.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
How do you know if you or your loved one may have
depression? Does depression look different as you age? Depression in older
adults may be difficult to recognize because older people may have different
symptoms than younger people. For some older adults with depression, sadness is
not their main symptom. They could instead be feeling more of a numbness or a
lack of interest in activities. They may not be as willing to talk about their feelings.
The following is a list of common symptoms. Be people experience depression differently, there may be symptoms that are not on this list.
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness, or having trouble sitting still
- Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, including sex
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, waking up too early in the morning, or oversleeping
- Eating more or less than usual, with unplanned weight gain or loss
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
If you have several of these signs and symptoms and they
last for more than two weeks, talk with your doctor. These could be signs of
depression or another health condition. Don’t ignore the warning signs. If left
untreated, serious depression may lead to death by suicide.
If you are a healthcare provider of an older person, ask how they are feeling during their visits. Research has shown that intervening during primary care visits is highly effective in reducing suicide later in life. If you are a family member or friend, watch for clues. Listen carefully if someone of any age says they feel depressed, sad, or empty for long periods of time. That person may really be asking for help. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help. It can help save lives.
Supporting friends and
family with depression
Depression is a medical condition that requires treatment from
a doctor. While family and friends can help by offering support in finding
treatment, they cannot treat a person’s depression.
As a friend or family member of a person with depression,
here are a few things you can do:
- Encourage the person to seek medical treatment and stick with the treatment plan the doctor prescribes.
- Help set up medical appointments or accompany the person to the doctor’s office or a support group.
- Participate in activities the person likes to do.
- Ask if the person wants to go for a walk or a bike ride. Physical activity can be great for boosting mood.
Talking with friends and
family about suicide
It’s important to watch for symptoms of depression or suicide. Don’t shy away from asking if a family member or friend is feeling depressed or suicidal. It may be an uncomfortable conversation, but it is important. Asking if someone is having thoughts of suicide will not make them more likely to act on those thoughts. Your questions may help the person open up about how they’ve been feeling and encourage them to seek treatment.
How is depression
treated?
Depression, even severe depression, can be treated. It’s
important to seek treatment as soon as you begin noticing signs. If you think
you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your doctor or
health care provider.
Certain medications or medical conditions can sometimes
cause the same symptoms as depression. A doctor can rule out these
possibilities through a physical exam, learning about your health and personal
history, and lab tests. If a doctor finds there is no medical condition that is
causing the depression, he or she may suggest a psychological evaluation and
refer you to a mental health professional such as a psychologist to perform
this test. This evaluation will help determine a diagnosis and a treatment
plan.
Common forms of treatment for depression include:
- Psychotherapy, counseling, or “talk therapy” can help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior. It may be done with a psychologist, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), psychiatrist, or other licensed mental health care professional. Examples of approaches specific to the treatment of depression include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).
- Medications for depression may balance hormones that affect mood, such as serotonin. There are many different types of commonly used antidepressant medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants commonly prescribed to older adults. A psychiatrist, mental health nurse practitioner, or primary care physician can prescribe and help monitor medications and potential side effects.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), during which electrodes are placed on a person’s head to enable a safe, mild electric current to pass through the brain. This type of therapy is usually considered only if a person’s illness has not improved with other treatments.
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), uses magnets to activate the brain. rTMS does not require anesthesia and targets only specific regions of the brain to help reduce side effects such as fatigue, nausea, or memory loss that could happen with ECT.
Medication and older adults
As you get older, body changes can affect the way medicines
are absorbed and used. Because of these changes, there can be a larger risk of
drug interactions among older adults. Share information about all medications
and supplements you’re taking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Treatment, particularly a combination of psychotherapy and
medications, has been shown to be effective for older adults. However, not all
medications or therapies will be right for everyone. Treatment choices differ
for each person, and sometimes multiple treatments must be tried in order to
find one that works. It is important to tell your doctor if your current
treatment plan isn’t working and to keep trying to find something that does.
Some people may try complementary health approaches, like
yoga, to improve well-being and cope with stress. However, there is little
evidence to suggest that these approaches, on their own, can successfully treat
depression. While they can be used in combination with other treatments
prescribed by a person’s doctor, they should not replace medical treatment.
Talk with your doctor about what treatment(s) might be good to try.
Don’t avoid getting help because you don’t know how much
treatment will cost. Treatment for depression is usually covered by private insurance
and Medicare. Also, some community mental health
centers may offer treatment based on a person’s ability to pay.