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Depression in Older Adults
 
What is depression?
Depression is a condition that causes a person 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 not a normal part of aging.

How does it occur?
The exact cause of depression is not known. It may result from chemical imbalances in the brain and nervous system. Depression tends to run in families. The older person may have another illness like Alzheimer's disease that contributes to depression. The person may have had depression before. Or, an older adult may take medicines that can cause depression or make a mild case of depression worse. Loss and loneliness may be factors in depression.

What are the symptoms?
Older people may feel lonely and blue. An early sign of depression is the cutting back on activities that they normally enjoy. Nearly all older depressed people lose their appetite and start losing weight. They can also eat more than usual, and gain weight. They may have trouble sleeping. More often they may wake during the night and are not able to fall asleep again. They may lack energy or feel very tired. Because of this, they may spend more time in bed. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise result in lack of energy and stamina and contribute to health problems, such as osteoporosis, that affect older people.

Tiredness, mood changes, sleepiness, and memory problems can also be side effects of medicines. Some symptoms of depression also occur in other medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's diseases. Depressed older people are more likely to complain of physical problems rather than expressing sad, anxious, or hopeless feelings.

How is it diagnosed?
Anytime older adults have signs of depression, they should be seen by their provider for a complete medical check-up. The check-up should include a list of all the medicines the person is on, including nonprescription medicines, and any alternative or herbal treatments they take. Lab tests may be needed to rule out medical problems. The health care provider or a mental health professional can tell you if symptoms are caused by clinical 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 both.

Several types of medicines can help treat clinical depression. The health care provider will carefully select one. Certain medicines such as benzodiazepines, digitalis, and some beta blockers can add to the symptoms of depression. Check with the health care provider before the older adult takes any new medicines, either nonprescription drugs or drugs prescribed by other health care providers.

Counseling and therapy are usually 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 overcome depression. Some people find art and music therapy are helpful.

What can I do to help myself?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important. To help prevent depression older adults should:
  • Have regular checkups
  • Exercise for at least 20 minutes every day, for example, by taking a walk
  • Learn which activities make them feel better and do them often
  • Talk to family and friends
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Get 6 to 8 hours sleep per night
  • Learn ways to lower stress, such as breathing exercises or relaxation techniques





  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

  HIA File AGI3010F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.


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