Is This Elderly Depression?

The cost in lives lost, lives hurt by the consequences of depression and the financial affects of depression are staggering. In the U.S. alone the economic burden of depression exceeds $43 billion annually. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S.

Sometimes we struggle to understand concepts thrown at us such as what is elderly depression and why it is important to us. Elderly depression is when an elderly person suffers from the mood disorder depression. They often times will experience feelings of extreme sadness, guilt that is misplaced, thoughts or statements of suicide or physical, mental or emotional changes. Depression hurts not only the elderly person who experiences it but the loved ones watching the individual go through it.

The cost in lives lost, lives hurt by the consequences of depression and the financial affects of depression are staggering. In the U.S. alone the economic burden of depression exceeds $43 billion annually. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S. which is twice as deadly as the AIDS virus. An elderly person is twice as likely to end his/her life by suicide than to be killed by gunfire in the U.s.

These statistics are a testament to the gravity of the situation. Elderly individuals are dying from depression or living lives isolated from others afraid of reaching out for help.

We can help these elderly individuals by recognizing the symptoms and signs of depression.

The signs and symptoms of depression:

Those who are considered to be elderly (over 65 years of age) grew up in a time when much stigmatism was associated with depression. Individuals who were depressed were considered to be "crazy", of weak character or had poor physical "constitutions". To admit to being depressed would mean subjecting oneself to being ridiculed for being weak, of poor physical condition or just plain crazy! This is one reason why it is difficult to diagnose an elderly person with depression. When depression goes un-noticed, and untreated the person suffers greatly; no wonder there is a high incidence of suicide among depressed elderly individuals.

Depression Treatment 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. Depression Treatment

Knowing the symptoms of depression and the signs to watch out for, help us to see it in others, especially the elderly. Some of the symptoms and signs of depression are:

Unexplained weight loss

Fatigue

Insomnia or sleeping too much

Not being interested in activities that once enthralled you.

The elderly are often also faced with a decline in their mental facilities which also makes recognizing depression. To be treated, depression must first be recognized and treated.
Depression in the elderly is associated with higher suicide rates, a higher risk for coronary disease, those with a family history of depression, those who have been depressed in the past and those facing life-threatening illnesses.

Just like in those cases where heart attack victims wait too long before seeking help due to fear; elderly depressed individuals wait too long when seeking help for their depression.

Having a support system around can speed up the process of diagnosis, and treatment because family members, friends and hired help are more likely to assist the individual in arriving at a diagnosis and treatment.

Answering the question, “Is this elderly depression”, will depend on the circumstances, the individual themselves and on how obvious the symptoms are. Some elderly individuals will try to mask the symptoms out of fear or shame. Finding out if a loved one is suffering from depression can save that person’s life.

The textbook answer to, "Is this depression?"

The indivdual may very well be depressed if he/she is exhibiting five or more of the following symptoms during a two week period and represent a change from their usual pattern of behavior:

Depressed mood

Loss of interest or pleasure in things that usually bring them pleasure

Feeling sad or empty

Significant weight loss or gain that cannot be explained by diet or other medical reasons

Insomnia or sleeping too much

Feelings of worthlessness

Fatigue or loss of energy nearly everyday

A decrease in the ability to think or concentrate, being indecisive nearly everyday

Recurrent thoughts of dying, death, suicide attempts or having a plan to die by suicide

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