Elderly Depression
Depression is often found in many people nowadays. It may be in any form. It is more common in elderly people. Generally, older people are less likely to have low moods and feel sad worrying about the physical aches and pains. Elderly depression is related closely with disability and dependency and causes great suffering for the individual and family. Diagnosing the depression in elderly people because of physical symptoms will frequently accompany extra medical circumstances. Many people attribute physical pains and aches due to sickness and at the same time they consider them as a natural part of getting old and not as result of any essential depression.
Combination of physical, biological, environmental and psychological factors can generate elderly depressive occurrence. The main factors that leads to the person into depression are loss of loved ones, isolation and loneliness, past history of depressions, decreased mobility, dependency on others, slowing down of mental faculties, fear of loosing someone close, fear of dying, lack of support, a negative view of the future, present pain and physical illness, vascular changes in the brain, frustration with disability and important life events like staying alone, moving in to retirement home and nursing and retirement from service.
The symptoms of depression vary from person to person. Mostly people feel lonely, sad and vexed on occasions and situations. But when low moods situation continues beyond weeks and more then it is not considered as normal at the age the person is currently. Loss of memory and confusion are mostly the common symptoms found in the elderly depressed. This happens because of distress and great deal of worry. Some of the common symptoms to watch out in the elderly include physical aches and pains, weight fluctuations, anger, irritability and dark moods, appetite changes, memory problem, worry and anxiety, restless ness and agitation, hallucination, delusions and confusion, lack of interest in other people, neglect of personal care, lack of energy and fatigue and many more symptoms.
Many elderly depressed people go for wrong decisions and wrong steps because of their mental situation. The risk of suicide is also high amongst elderly depressed people. Proper treatment should be given to depressed people to get them back to normal condition. The options of treatment include some form of physiotherapy, medication, personal counseling and in more severe cases of elderly depression the Electro Convulsive therapy is proved. In the case of medication it is very important that the doctor should be aware of exactly what medications that the person is using presently to avoid any adverse interactions that might occur with antidepressants.
Psychosocial treatment plays an important role in the care of elderly depressed patients who lack social support, lack coping skills to deal with their life situations and who have significant life crisis. Moreover it is very essential to look out for any signs that might indicate the onset of depression and encourage them to seek help as soon as possible with the right treatment and support the depression can be lifted and elderly depressed people will be able to regain the sense of joy in their lives.