Elderly Depression

Elderly depression is not a normal part of getting old. Many Health old people enjoy life and have a great deal of satisfaction looking back and reflecting on their achievements.

However, because health problems is a natural part of getting old, often elderly depression patients stay undiagnosed and therefore untreated for their illness. That can explain why some people consider elderly depression as a natural part of being old.

Elderly depression affects not just the patient’s life but also the life of the the family. It is very important to have a professional doctor distinguish it for being a secondary depression, since elderly depression can be a symptom of many illnesses that affect the older population.

 

                                

Elderly depression risk factors:

  1. Genetics: The most common risk factor for elderly depression is family history of depression or elderly depression.

  2. Health problems: Having health problem is not uncommon in old age. Health problems such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer can make older people develop elderly depression.   

     

  3. Medication side affect: Many older people consume medications on a daily basis for different illnesses. Some of those medications’ side affects can help develop elderly depression. In this case the patient must report to his doctor as soon as the elderly depression symptoms start.  

     

  4. Chronic pain: older people that suffer chronic pain due to an illness or other medical conditions might also develop elderly depression. 

  5. Trauma: loosing a close relative especially a life partner is very common in this stage of life. Many older people develop elderly depression over this risk factor.

Elderly depression symptoms:

Elderly depression symptoms are not different then depression in younger people. Elderly depression patient can suffer sensations of sadness and loneliness for a prolong period of time, have difficulties in performing simple everyday tasks and have problems sleeping. Another elderly depression symptom is a dramatic weight changes due to over eating or lose of appetite. Elderly depression can also manifest in lose of enjoyment in activities that where once enjoyable and in social withdrawal and isolation. see Depression Symptoms.

Getting old doesn’t come hand in hand with elderly depression. With a proper diagnosis and treatment elderly depression patient can be put back on track towards living a health fulfilling life. In fact studies show that psychotherapy even for a short term is very effective in treating elderly depression. Talking to a therapist helps the patient dealing with his situation and gives him tools to handle negative thoughts and other related difficulties.