Right now, a guy is struggling with depression. He could be the guy next to you in a coffee shop or sitting forlornly in a park. He could be walking along aimlessly in a shopping mall or sitting in the far corner of a dark movie house. Or it could be you.

You are listless and can’t seem to figure out what to do. Somehow you feel sad, yet not knowing why. The world seems out of whack.

Though you know something is wrong (with you or the world around you), yet you could not put a finger on it.

But you know you have to snap out of it, get back to the real world, before it sucks you into its dark womb, like a black hole.

You have to unfetter yourself from its deadly grasp.

What is depression

Often called major Depressive Disorder, it a common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects your feelings, thoughts, and actions.

It causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest in things once enjoyed. It is serious because it can lead to a variety of physical and emotional problems, decreases your ability to function at work and at home.

We all experience occasional bad days when everything seems to go wrong; feel adrift and listless. We seem to have lost a sense of purpose; eating and sleeping are impossible.

However, if it lasts for weeks or months, you may be suffering from clinical depression – the kind of depression that is not caused by a loss or a loved one, or a medical condition like thyroid disorder.

Depression in the elderly

Depression among the elderly is common, but it is not a part of the aging process. It may be caused by important changes in life like a loss of a loved one, transitioning from work to retirement, or dealing with a chronic illness.

This mental disorder comes in many forms but the most common types are:

Major depression

This type involves severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy life.

Persistent depressive disorder

This type usually lasts for 2 years or more. A person with a persistent depressive disorder may experience bouts of major depression along with persistent depressive disorder.

Diagnosing depression in the elderly is difficult because it often mimics normal age-related issues or effects of other illnesses and medications.

To make matters worse, victims are often not willing to talk about their feelings or understand its signs and symptoms.

Why is depression bad for the elderly

Elderly depression is usually caused by loneliness, medical illnesses, and disabilities, and may last longer compared to that in younger people.

Whereas younger people can snap out of it easily, seniors are not that resilient, and failure to reign it in may result in serious medical conditions like:

• Cardiac arrest
• Increased risk of death from an illness
• A person’s inability to rehabilitate from an illness
• Increased risk of suicide.

Risk factors for elderly depression

• Being single, unmarried, divorced, or widowed
• Lack of a supportive social network
• Stressful life events
• Damage to body image i.e., amputation, illnesses like cancer, heart attack
• A family history of depressive disorder
• Living alone, or socially isolated
• Chronic and severe pain
• Loss of a loved one
• Substance abuse

Symptoms of elderly depression

The most common symptoms of this mental issue, according to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, include the following:

• Persistent sadness
• Feeling slowed down
• Excessive worries about finances and health problems
• Frequent tearfulness
• Feeling worthless or helpless
• Weight changes
• Pacing or fidgeting
• Difficulty in sleeping and concentrating
• Somatic complaints (unexplained physical pain or gastrointestinal problems)
• Withdrawal from social activities

Treatment options for elderly depression

Though serious, depression can be treated if diagnosed early. So if you think you are having depression episodes consult your healthcare provider or a doctor specializing in mental health conditions, i.e., psychologist or psychiatrist.

Treatment modes differ for each person. Sometimes your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments and number of treatment sessions. At any rate, it could be any or a combination of the following:

Psychotherapy

Also known as “talk therapy,” or “cognitive behavioral therapy,” psychotherapy focuses on helping you change negative thinking and behavior that make your depression worse.

It can help you understand or walk through troubled relationships that may be causing your negative mood. Or it could be problem-solving sessions.

This type of treatment may last between 10 to 20 week depending on your need.

Anti-depressants

Anti-depressants help your brain improve the way it uses certain chemicals that control mood.

There are several anti-depressants in the market, all under doctor’s prescription. And some of them may have side-effects like nausea, increased appetite, loss of sexual desire, insomnia, fatigue, and drowsiness, etc.

Antidepressants may take 2 to 4weeks to work, and you have to take them according to prescription. Stopping can only be done if your doctor says it is alright to do so.

Take note, however, that they may result in dependencies.

How to cope with elderly depression

Depression starts in the mind and must be stopped at its source. No matter what treatment options you take, if your mind is a fertile ground for this mental issue to thrive, it will come back. So treat it like you treat weeds on your lawn – by constant de-weeding.

Here are some helpful tips to do that:

1.  Have a sense of purpose

When you reach this age, you must have lost someone you loved. And it’s tough. It’s like losing a good part of you. You lose your bearing, like a ship without a rudder.

We all die someday. But now is not your time. So while you are alive, make the most of your remaining days.

You can do that by having a purpose like a hobby, or a passion; do volunteer work or teach out-of-school youths.

Getting back your bearings by defining a purpose is going to be enriching experience over the long haul.

And it is a great way to drive away depression.

2. Network with others

You must have heard the famous saying, “Misery loves company.” Don’t take it literally. People don’t want to be a sounding board of your life’s woes and cares.

But do go out to network with friends if you are in a depressive mood. But don’t saddle them with your problems, but to forget them.

Network with people who are optimistic about life, or who can crack a joke like flipping on a light switch.

Socializing with positive-minded people is a good antidote for depression and helps improve your physical, mental and emotional health.

3. Exercise

Exercise and depression don’t go together. So if you start having depressive moods, put on your sneakers and work up a little sweat.

The Internet is full of gentle exercises for seniors like you and me (I still play tennis, though). Or you can devise your own like going up and down staircases, brisk walking, deep breathing, calisthenics, etc.

If you want a little motivation, sign up for group exercises like Zumba or aerobics.

4. Eat brain-health foods

“Diet plays a huge role in depression,” says Shawn Talbot, Ph.D., nutritional biochemist and author of the book, 7 Days to Unlimited Energy, Focus, and Well-being.

Yes, most of us overlook the fact that just as there are foods good for the body, there are also foods for the brain.

For example, these are good to fight off depression:

• Dark leafy vegetables
• Walnuts
• Avocado
• Berries
• Tomatoes
• Beans, etc.

5. Go out and have fun

Going out for a long drive is my main elixir against depression.

Sometimes the suffocating familiarity of your home can be depressing; your daily routine can be depressing. And your neighbor’s dog (or the neighbor) can be depressing.

Getting away from all these by taking a long walk or drive can be very therapeutic. It takes your mind off the things that are eating you alive.

“Concerns should drive us into action, not depression. No man is free who cannot control himself.” – Pythagoras

Depression starts from the mind and it must be stopped in the mind.

Image: https://pixabay.com/en/old-people-s-home-dementia-man-old-524234/

~oOo~

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