According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), depression affects more than 6.5 million adults in the United States over the age of 65. Many of these individuals have had depressive episodes earlier in their lives. Others will experience depression for the first time in their lives well into their 80s and 90s. Later life depression is associated with many things, including dependence on others and disabilities associated with aging.
Aging and Loss
Elderly people are at a higher risk of experiencing many losses including those of family and friends, income, independence, and the home they lived in for years. Older adults may also experience depressive symptoms that are associated with normal biological changes, such as failing eyesight and hearing loss. All of these losses can take their toll on an elderly person and the outcomes can include negative emotions like anxiety, sadness, loneliness, apathy, social withdrawal and lowered self-esteem.
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Consequences of Depression in Later Life
Depression in later life can be complicated, recurrent and persistent. It can lead to serious physical and mental consequences that can complicate the older person’s health conditions and trigger new ones. Late life depression can negatively impact daily living, such as eating habits, sleeping, and diminished energy. Older adults who are depressed also experience higher rates of memory loss and insomnia. Their reaction time also increases making driving, cooking, and self-medicating unsafe.
A very serious consequence of depression among elderly people is suicide. Late life depression increases the risk for various medical illnesses and cognitive disorders. For instance, some research links late life depression with Alzheimer’s disease. When depression goes unrecognized and untreated, the elderly person may be at a high risk for suicide. Older white males have the highest suicide rates in the United States and depression is the single most significant risk factor for suicide among older adults. It is unfortunate that seniors seek out treatment for medical problems, but not for mental health issues like depression.
Why is Depression Unrecognized in the Older Population?
This is a good question, and there are many answers to it. There is a common misperception in our culture that depression is a normal and natural part of the gaining process and this is absolutely false. While it is true that elderly people experience many age-related and social losses, clinical depression is not associated with age. Most people simply don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of later life depression. They instead may think that these symptoms are due to some other condition like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, heart problems and stroke, cancer, arthritis, thyroid disorders, and other neurodenererative disorders. In other words, some people may pick up on certain symptoms, but they misattribute them to other disorders rather than depression. The result is unrecognized and untreated depression and suffering that doesn’t have to occur.
Treatment Works
Here is the good news… over 80% of all older adults who receive active treatment for depression greatly improve. Later life depression is treatable as long as the senior gets the help he or she needs. Treatment options include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy or counseling, or a combination of both. When medications don’t work, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has some promising results. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has also shown to be effective in treating mild depression that is resistant to medications. Psychosocial support can also be very effective in treating depression. Staying active in the community, connected to family and friends, and finding purpose and meaning are all important in effectively handling depression. They can also maintain a better quality of life.
Final Words on Aging and Depression
While late life depression can bring many difficulties including exacerbation of physical illness and cognitive decline, most seniors can be effectively treated and go on to live full and meaningful lives. It is vital to recognize the signs and symptoms of late life depression and not mistake them for dementia or another disorder. Thanks to medication and therapy, the golden years can still be golden for the majority of seniors in the United States.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Behavioral and Mental Health? Checkout my Behavioral and Mental Health CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)