Treating The Elderly For Depression
To combat this vitamin deficiency, elderly individuals should be conscious of eating properly or supplementing with vitamins and minerals as part of prevention and treatment for depression.
There are many treatment choices that the depressed elderly person and their doctor can consider. Doctors should stay up to date on the latest information concerning depression and the elderly. One recent research revealed that elderly women with B-12 deficiency have twice the risk for depression as women who do not have this deficiency. This fact is difficult to determine which came first the deficiency or the depression as individuals who are depressed usually have poor eating habits which would mean that there dietary intake of needed vitamins and minerals would likely be deficient.
To combat this vitamin deficiency, elderly individuals should be conscious of eating properly or supplementing with vitamins and minerals as part of prevention and treatment for depression.
Another important treatment along with proper eating or supplements is quallity psychotherapy that includes individual counseling, support from family, friends, self-help groups, and senior activity programs. These measures address the mental aspect of depression and are an essential part of the treatment plan for depression.
Psychotherapy is an important part of treatment because it is a method for developing a trusting relationship between therapist and patient in a way that facilitates problem solving and allow the patient to return to normal mental and emotional functioning. Regularly scheduled appointments are made so that the psychiatrist and patient can discover the specific issues to be death with so that the depression can be overcome.
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If the underlying cause is not addressed during the treatment plan than the depression is likely to resurface at a later date when medication or therapy is stopped and the cause is still present in the life of the elderly individual.
Interpersonal therapy can address the psychological and personality factors that may exist so that support systems can be put into place to continue on a regular basis even after medication maintenance is stopped.
Community support groups are springing up in most locations to help address senior issues such as mobility needs daily living task support and meal preparation.
Elderly Depression
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Elderly individuals who are opposed to taking medications for their depression should definitely make the most of their psychotherapy appointments which are usually 45 minutes in length and vary as to frequency depending on the severity of the depression. Psychotherapy is especially useful for those individuals in whom medication is counter- indicated due to severe reaction, or interactions with other medications that they need to be on. It is beneficial because it is especially good for sorting out functional and social consequences of depression for the elderly individual.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is another treatment option for the elderly individual who is depressed. ECT is usually done for not more than 3 times a week and is only used when medications or psychotherapy have been tried and not been effective in treating depression. ECT must be administered by a trained professional.
The most effective treatment is usually a combination of methods including medications, psychotherapy, and community support. Each treatment plan must be devised on an individual basis and will address all issues physical, mental and emotional that the patient is experiencing. Length of depression, severity and whether this is the first episode or not along with family history, personal history and other illnesses will be taken into consideration when a treatment plan is devised. The treatment plan is usually drawn up with the patient’s input and possibly other family members if they are caregivers.
Given the risk for suicide, it is vital that any elderly person considered to be at risk for depression be carefully watched and evaluated to ensure their safety and health.
Current Facts About Elderly Depression
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