Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
FACT: The majority of older adults are quite satisfied with their lives and cope with loss, change or a chronic medical condition without becoming depressed but depression affects one in every six seniors living in the community.
FACT: Older adults are twice as likely to suffer from depression as the general population, and women are more likely to be depressed than men.
FACT: Scientists think that depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It can be triggered by stressful situations, death, a chronic illness, recent surgery, or caring for a very ill family member. It can run in families.
FACT: Depression can be triggered by other chronic illnesses common in later life such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and arthritis.
FACT: Depression is NOT a normal part of aging, but many older adults and their caregivers believe it is. Consequently, depression in older adults often goes overlooked and untreated. The symptoms of depression are often missed when they coincide with other chronic illnesses.
FACT: Depression often goes undetected because patients do not report their symptoms, and when they do, they are often misinterpreted as symptoms of a medical illness.
FACT: Older adults may be reluctant to seek help for depression because they think it comes with age, is a sign of weakness, or believe that they can pull themselves out of it. Depression is a treatable medical illness like diabetes or heart disease. At least 80% of people can be treated effectively and their symptoms relieved within a few weeks.
FACT: Older adults are considered the group most “at risk” for suicide. The suicide rate in older adults is more than 50 percent higher than young people or the nation as a whole. White men over age 80 are six times more likely to commit suicide than any other age group. If someone you know is in crisis or an emergency call your local law enforcement or hospital emergency room.
Common Attitudes of Older Adults Towards Depression
Sixty-eight percent of Americans ages 65 and older know little or almost nothing about depression. Only 38 percent of Americans ages 65 and older believe that depression is a “health” problem. If suffering from depression, older adults are more likely than any other group to “handle it themselves.” Only 42 percent would seek help from a health professional.
Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of Clinical Depression
No two people experience clinical depression in the same manner. Symptoms will vary in severity and duration among different people. See your doctor if you experience the first two symptoms listed. Along with four or more other symptoms, for at least two weeks and generally daily:
- Feeling sad or irritable throughout the day
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Changes in normal sleep patterns (difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep, early morning awakening, or increase in sleep)
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feeling worthless, hopeless, or unreasonably guilty
- Inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
- Restlessness or decreased activity
- Complaints of physical aches and pains for which no medical causes can be found
- Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death (not just fear of dying)
As a first step, a thorough physical examination may be recommended to rule out other illnesses that may be causing these symptoms.