Depression in the Elderly (2)

by Beth McHugh | More from this Blogger

09 Jul 2009 11:37 PM

As we discussed in the previous article dealing with depression in the elderly, depression can hit at any age. For all the symptoms of depression in the elderly, see the link below

So what can trigger depression in the elderly? Life changing events, such as the death of a loved one, particularly a spouse of many years, is a common trigger for older people to become depressed. Other factors moving out of the family home of long standing, inability to socialize due to disability, a physical illness, even deafness can be a trigger for depression due to lack of meaningful social contact.

Many doctors will attempt to supply antidepressants when depression arises, especially in the elderly. But this can be a mistake. When depression strikes there is usually a logical reason for it and far and away the best treatment is to try to improve the life conditions of the depressed person. This applies to depressed people of any age.

Depression does not come out of the blue. It responds well to a change of conditions and when conditions cannot be changed, such as when a death occurs, life quality can be improved through grief counseling. The idea that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain is merely that - an idea. And with the right change of lifestyle, depression can be much improved and even eliminated.

Unfortunately for the elderly, there are often situations where there is a lack of family interest in the welfare of the person concerned, and the overworked doctors prescribes pills because s/he has no time to get to the root cause of the depression and the elderly person themselves may be too sick to fight against the plans of the doctors, nursing homes, and family members. When this occurs, it is indeed a sad situation.

The other concern for the elderly is that one of the symptoms of depression is memory loss and this can be a particularity disturbing symptoms for the over 65s as it may seem to them that they are being visiting by the specter of dementia. However, being aware of these changes makes it more likely that you are experiencing one of the symptoms of depression rather than senility. In fact, the two condition are readily discernible by a trained mental health expert and you will soon be reassured that your "forgetfulness" is due to depression rather than dementia.

As we discussed in the previous article dealing with depression in the elderly, depression can hit at any age. For all the symptoms of depression in the elderly, see the link below

So what can trigger depression in the elderly? Life changing events, such as the death of a loved one, particularly a spouse of many years, is a common trigger for older people to become depressed. Other factors moving out of the family home of long standing, inability to socialize due to disability, a physical illness, even deafness can be a trigger for depression due to lack of meaningful social contact.

Many doctors will attempt to supply antidepressants when depression arises, especially in the elderly. But this can be a mistake. When depression strikes there is usually a logical reason for it and far and away the best treatment is to try to improve the life conditions of the depressed person. This applies to depressed people of any age.

Depression does not come out of the blue. It responds well to a change of conditions and when conditions cannot be changed, such as when a death occurs, life quality can be improved through grief counseling. The idea that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain is merely that - an idea. And with the right change of lifestyle, depression can be much improved and even eliminated.

Unfortunately for the elderly, there are often situations where there is a lack of family interest in the welfare of the person concerned, and the overworked doctors prescribes pills because s/he has no time to get to the root cause of the depression and the elderly person themselves may be too sick to fight against the plans of the doctors, nursing homes, and family members. When this occurs, it is indeed a sad situation.

The other concern for the elderly is that one of the symptoms of depression is memory loss and this can be a particularity disturbing symptoms for the over 65s as it may seem to them that they are being visiting by the specter of dementia. However, being aware of these changes makes it more likely that you are experiencing one of the symptoms of depression rather than senility. In fact, the two condition are readily discernible by a trained mental health expert and you will soon be reassured that your "forgetfulness" is due to depression rather than dementia.

Contact Beth McHugh for further assistance regarding this issue.

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Related articles: Further Articles in Depression

Learn more about Beth McHugh

Beth McHugh began her career as a geologist and worked both in industry and as a university researcher.

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