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DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY Originally Published in Senior View - Summer 1999 Aging
can involve a variety of life stressors that can lead to depression. It can be
hard for some people to handle the transition from full time careers to
retirement, or even from a clean bill of health to one that may not be so clean
any more. Mounting medical bills, the loss or illness of a spouse, friend or
loved one can create more stress and sadness. Loss of mobility due to physical
illness or loss of driving privileges can add to the social isolation and
loneliness. All of these factors could lead to depression. While
most people think depression is only sadness and low moods, clinical depression
is so much more than these feelings everyone experiences from time to time.
Depression can affect our thinking, emotions, behaviors, and physical health. A
person may have difficulty remembering things that once so easy to recall. The
activities you once enjoyed, may bring you no pleasure anymore. Aches and pains
may continue to reappear and your doctor cannot find an explanation for it.
Depression, with many of these symptoms, that continue for weeks and perhaps
months or years, is clinical depression. Clinical
depression is a problem that affects your whole body. It can affect you
physically and emotionally, as well as your thoughts. Contrary to popular
belief, it is not normal to feel depressed all the time when you get older.
Actually, most seniors are satisfied with their lives overall. However, as many
as 3 seniors out of 100 experience clinical depression. This is a very serious
problem, one that can lead to suicide. On
the brighter side, nearly 80 percent of people with clinical depression can be
treated successfully with therapy. When combined with medication management,
this success rate can grow. Clinical depression is a very treatable disorder,
one that responds quickly to the right treatment. But, it first has to be
recognized and treatment has to be obtained. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing depression, please call our Senior View Resource Center at 800-662-2490. We can locate the necessary resources to help overcome the symptoms of clinical depression. |