Elderly Depression or Sadness?

As we age is it expected that we pick up from time to time some events or situations that make us sad or give us grief. Those who are 65 or older (referred to as "elderly") have more stored up events or situations that have caused them grief and sadness than those of us who are considered young.

Sadness and grief are temporary emotions stemming from single situations or events that cause these emotions. To experience these emotions are normal for any age group. The age factor means that the elderly have had more opportunity to experience them.

According to dictionary.com clinical depression is defined as, "a depression that is so severe as to be considered abnormal due to obvious environmental causes or based on the reaction to a life event or circumstance that is of a greater intensity than is typically expected.

Major depression is described as a serious medical illness unlike normal emotional sadness or grief. Major depression is a persistent state of mind. According to nami.org major depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and in many of the developed countries globally.

There are several factors that can be used by medical personnel and elderly caregivers to determine if the elderly person is experiencing something other than a normal emotional response. One factor that is used to distinguish between normal sadness or grief and depression (major or clinical) in the elderly is that of time. How long has the individual been experiencing symptoms of depression? Another factor would be if the individual can point to a specific event or situation that has triggered the symptoms of depression or are the feelings of grief and sadness general and not specific to anything or to a specific loss?

If the elderly person has been depressed for a longer time than expected given the situation or is responding to the event and in a way that is harmful to their life or ability to function; than it is time to consider that what they are experiencing is not normal and should be investigated by a medical professional for a diagnosis and treatment.

Most caregivers and clinicians tend to expect that depression is a normal part of growing elderly. It is not normal to be depressed to the point of wanting to end life, or being so intense of an experience as to not be able to function in daily life.

Symptoms that should trigger concern when caregivers or medical professionals are trying to distinguish between normal sadness or grief and depression are: a mood that is irritable or depressed, feelings or expressions of worthlessness or sadness, prolonged agitation, a change in weight either a loss or gain that is unintentional, trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, an extreme fatigue, aches and pains not associated with an illness or condition, and also abnormal thoughts of death or actions or plans regarding suicide.

Determining whether or not what the elderly individual is experiencing is depression requires a professional medical evaluation.