Depression and Quality of Life in Older Adults
Depression and Quality of Life in Older Adults
The process of aging creates new and sometimes challenging experiences. These can include retirement, the death of loved ones, loss of mobility, and medical problems, all of which may lead to decreased mobility and increased isolation. The result of these changes may create a scenario ripe for depression. While clinical depression is a common problem among older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. It may be overlooked because for some older adults who have depression, sadness is not their main symptom. They may have other, less obvious symptoms of depression or they may not be willing to talk about their feelings. Therefore, because it’s not always obvious, doctors may be less likely to recognize that their patient has depression.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Different people have different symptoms. Some symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling sad or "empty"
- Feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or guilty
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Feeling very tired
- Not being able to concentrate or remember details
- Not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much
- Overeating, or not wanting to eat at all
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems.
How can I help a loved one who is depressed?
If you know someone who has depression, first help him or her see a doctor or mental health professional.
- Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
- Talk to him or her, and listen carefully.
- Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to your loved one’s therapist or doctor.
- Invite him or her out for walks, outings, and other activities.
- Remind him or her that with time and treatment, the depression will lift.
How is depression treated?
The first step to getting appropriate treatment is to visit a doctor. Certain medications or conditions can cause symptoms similar to depression. A doctor can rule out these factors by doing a complete physical exam, interview, and lab tests.
If these other factors can be ruled out, the doctor may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or psychiatrist. Some doctors are specially trained to treat depression and other mental illnesses in older adults.
The doctor or mental health professional will ask about the history of your symptoms, such as when they started, how long they have lasted, their severity, whether they have occurred before, and if so, whether they were treated and how. He or she will then diagnose the depression and work with you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
It is important to remember that a person with depression cannot simply "snap out of it."
Treatment choices differ for each person, and sometimes different treatments must be tried until you find one that works. Two common treatments include:
Medications called antidepressants can work well to treat depression. They can take several weeks to work.
Psychotherapy can also help treat depression. Psychotherapy helps by teaching new ways of thinking and behaving, and changing habits that may be contributing to the depression. Therapy can help you understand and work through difficult relationships or situations that may be causing your depression or making it worse.
For more information on Older Adults and Depression, contact the National Institute of Mental Health:
Phone: 1-866-615-NIMH (6464) toll-freeE-mail: nimhinfo@nih.govWebsite: http://www.nimh.nih.gov
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