What Makes Depression Different In the Elderly?

Depression is defined as a "serious medical illness that negatively affects how one feels, thinks and acts." this definition is according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA). They further explain that depression can have a variety of symptoms but most people know it from the symptom of sadness. Other symptoms of depression are having a deep feeling of sadness, or loss of interest in things that would normally hold your interest. The depressed individual may have a change in their normal appetite pattern, pattern of sleep or experience weight loss or gain that is not explained by dieting or other illness. Someone with depression may also suffer from restlessness or irritability. They may express feelings of worthlessness or guilt that is not appropriate. Depressed individuals have difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions. They can have thoughts of suicide or think or speak often of death. They may even take action or make attempts at dying by suicide.

Depression is a mood disorder that although it is not curable, it is treatable and the person who has it can manage the disorder effectively so that the potential is there for a full and meaningful life.

Depression in the elderly differs from depression in youth or middle age in that although it is not normally a part of aging as we age we experience more of the situations and events that can trigger depression. We experience more loss as we age. We are exposed to greater risks for financial stress, job-related loss, health issues that are long term or terminal. At the same time that the elderly at experiencing these increased chances for depression triggers they might also be experiencing a decrease in their support systems as adult children move away, friends and peers move away or die. As health deteriorates they are less able to function for themselves or maintain activities that gave them pleasure in the past to offset times of trouble or stress. Thus, they are less able to handle or deal with depression when it rears its ugly head.

Depression is not a normal part of aging and most senior citizens lead happy lives and can face challenges that occur without slipping into depression.

Elderly individuals who do succumb to depression are often those without adequate support systems in place or who have multiple challenges in life such as health issues coupled with financial problems.

Loss for the elderly individual can be in many forms including loss of mobility, loss of health, loss of a spouse/child/friend, loss of a home, loss of privileges like driving and loss of lifestyle like when retirement is reached.

The fact that some members of society, even physicians assume that depression is just a part of being elderly, adds to the problem as it prevents timely treatment and can aggravate the problem. Depression is not a normal state for anyone of any age. Depression is a mood disorder and needs to be addressed and managed using therapy, medication or a combination of the two (usually works better).