|
Click
to open document as a PDF
Lea
Esta Página En Español
Depression: Don't
Let the Blues Hang Around
Everyone gets the blues now and then. It's part
of life. But if you feel little joy or pleasure after visiting
with friends or seeing a good movie, you may have a more serious
problem. Being depressed for a while, without letup, can change
the way you think and feel. Doctors call this "clinical
depression."
Being "down in the dumps" over a period of time
is not a normal part of growing old. But it is a common problem,
and medical help may be needed. For most people, depression
will get better with treatment. "Talk" therapy, medicine,
or other treatment methods can ease the pain of depression.
You do not need to suffer.
There are many reasons why depression in older people is often
missed or untreated. As a person ages, the signs of depression
are much more likely to be seen as crankiness or grumpiness.
Depression can also be tricky to recognize. Confusion or attention
problems caused by depression can sometimes look like Alzheimer's
disease or other brain disorders. Mood changes and signs of
depression can be caused by medicines older people may take
for arthritis, high blood pressure, or heart disease. It can
be hard for a doctor to diagnose depression, but the good news
is that people who are depressed often feel better with the
right treatment.
What Causes Depression?
There is no one cause of depression. For some people, a single
event can bring on the illness. Depression often strikes people
who felt fine but who suddenly find they are struggling with
a death in the family or a serious illness. For some people,
differences in brain chemistry can affect mood and cause depression.
Sometimes those under a lot of stress, like caregivers, can
feel depressed. Others become depressed for no clear reason.
People with serious illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, heart
disease, stroke, or Parkinson's disease, sometimes become depressed.
They are worried about how their illness will change their lives.
They might be tired and not able to deal with something that
makes them sad. Treatment for depression helps them manage symptoms
of the disease, thus improving their quality of life.
Genetics, too, can play a role. Studies show that depression
may run in families. Children of depressed parents may be at
a higher risk for depression.
What to Look For?
How do you know when you need help? After all, as you age,
you may have to face problems that could cause anyone to feel
"depressed." Perhaps you are dealing with the death
of a loved one or friend. Maybe you are having a tough time
getting used to retirement. Possibly you have a chronic illness.
After a period of grieving or feeling troubled most older people
do get back to their daily lives. But, if you are suffering
from clinical depression and don't get help, you might not feel
better for weeks, months, or even years.
Here is a list of the most common signs of depression. If
these last for more than 2 weeks, see a doctor.
- An "empty" feeling, ongoing sadness, and anxiety
- Tiredness, lack of energy
- Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities, including
sex
- Sleep problems, including trouble getting to sleep, very
early morning waking, and sleeping too much
- Eating more or less than usual
- Crying too often or too much
- Aches and pains that don't go away when treated
- A hard time focusing, remembering, or making decisions
- Feeling guilty, helpless, worthless, or hopeless
- Being irritable
- Thoughts of death or suicide; a suicide attempt
If you are a family member, friend, or health care provider
of an older person, watch for clues. Sometimes depression can
hide behind a smiling face. A depressed person who lives alone
may briefly feel better when someone stops by to say hello or
during a visit to the doctor. The symptoms may seem to go away.
But, when someone is very depressed, they come right back.
Don't ignore the warning signs. If left untreated, serious
depression can lead to suicide. Listen carefully if someone
of any age complains about being depressed or says people don't
care. That person may really be asking for help.
Getting Help
The first step is to accept that you or your family member
needs help. Perhaps you are uncomfortable with the subject of
mental illness. Or, you might feel that asking for help is a
sign of weakness. You might be like many older people, their
relatives, or friends, who believe that a depressed person can
quickly "snap out of it" or that some people are too
old to be helped. They arewrong.
A health care provider can help you. Once you decide to get
medical advice, start with your family doctor. The doctor should
check to see if your depression could be caused by a health
problem or a medicine you are taking. After a complete exam,
your doctor may suggest you talk to a mental health worker,
such as a social worker, mental health counselor, psychologist,
or psychiatrist. The special nature of depression in older people
has led to a different medical specialty-geriatric psychiatry.
Don't avoid getting help because you are afraid of how much
treatment might cost. Often, only short-term psychotherapy (talk
therapy) is needed. It is often covered by insurance. Also,
some community mental health centers may offer treatment based
on a person's ability to pay.
Be aware that some family doctors may not understand about
aging and depression. They may not be interested in these complaints.
Or, they may not know what to do. If your doctor is unable or
unwilling to take seriously your concerns about depression,
you may want to talk to another health care provider who can
help.
Are you the relative or friend of a depressed older person
who won't go to a doctor for treatment? Explain how treatment
may help the person feel better. In some cases, when a depressed
person can't or won't go to the doctor's office, the doctor
or mental health specialist can start by making a phone call.
The telephone can't take the place of the personal contact needed
for a complete medical checkup, but it can break the ice. Sometimes
the doctor might make a home visit.
Treating Depression
Your doctor or mental health specialist can treat your depression
successfully. Different therapies seem to work in different
people. For instance, support groups can provide new coping
skills or social support if you are dealing with a major life
change. A doctor might suggest that you use a local senior center,
volunteer service, or nutrition program.
Several kinds of "talk" therapies are useful as
well. One method might help give you a more positive outlook
on life. Always thinking about the sad things in your life or
what you have lost might have led to your depression. Another
way works to improve your relationships with others to give
you more hope about your future.
Don't forget to let family and friends help you. Getting better
takes time, but with support from others and treatment you will
get a little better each day.
Antidepressant drugs can also help. These medications can
improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and concentration. There
are several types of antidepressants available. Some of these
can take up to 12 weeks before you are aware of real progress.
Your doctor may want you to continue medications for 6 months
or more after your symptoms disappear.
Some antidepressants can cause unwanted side effects, although
newer medicines have fewer side effects. Any antidepressant
should be used with great care to avoid this problem. Remember:
- The doctor needs to know about all prescribed and over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking.
- The doctor should also be aware of any other physical problems
you have.
- Be sure to take antidepressants in the proper dose and on
the right schedule.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can also help. It is most often
recommended when medicines can't be tolerated or when a quick
response is needed. ECT, which works quickly in most people,
is given as a series of treatments over a few weeks. Like other
antidepressant therapies, follow-up treatment with medication
or occasional (called maintenance) ECT is often needed to help
prevent a return of depression.
Help from Family and Friends
If you are a family member or friend of someone who seems depressed,
try to get that person to a health care provider for diagnosis
and treatment. Then help your relative or friend to stay with
the treatment plan. If needed, make appointments for the person
or go along to the doctor, mental health specialist, or support
group.
Be patient and understanding. Get your relative or friend
to go on outings with you or to go back to an activity that
he or she once enjoyed. Encourage the person to be active and
busy, but not to take on too much at one time.
Preventing Depression
What can be done to lower the risk of depression? How can people
cope? There are a few practical steps you can take. Try to prepare
for major changes in life, such as retirement or moving from
your home of many years. One way to do this is to keep and maintain
friendships over the years. Try to find someone you feel you
can talk to. Friends can help ease the loneliness if you lose
a spouse. You can also develop a hobby. Hobbies can help keep
your mind and body active. Stay in touch with family. Let them
help you when you feel weighed down or very sad. If you are
faced with a lot to do, try to break it up into smaller jobs
that are more easily finished.
Being physically fit and eating a balanced diet may help avoid
illnesses that can bring on disability or depression. Follow
the doctor's directions on using medicines to lower the risk
of developing depression as a side effect of a drug.
Resources
Many groups offer more information on depression and older
people. The following list can help get you started:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
301-443-4513
1-800-421-4211 (for publications)
301-443-8431 (TTY)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Depressive and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
730 N. Franklin St., Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610-7204
1-800-826-3632
http://www.dbsalliance.org
National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
2001 N. Beauregard St., 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
1-800-969-NMHA (6642)
1-800-433-5959 (TTY)
http://www.nmha.org
American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP)
7910 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814-3004
301-654-7850
http://www.aagpgpa.org
American Psychological Association (APA)
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
1-800-374-2721
1-202-336-6123 (TDD/TTY)
http://www.apa.org
For information about depression for Alzheimer's patients
and caregivers, contact:
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
P.O. Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
1-800-438-4380
http://www.alzheimers.org
For more information on health and aging contact:
NIA Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225
1-800-222-4225 (TTY)
http://www.nia.nih.gov
National Institute on Aging
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
2003 (Revised)
|
