The symptoms of elderly depression are much like the symptoms of depression experienced by those who are younger. The symptoms are physical or emotional and are usually intense in nature. The symptoms of depression in the elderly individual may signal clinical depression or major depression. The depression may also turn out to be a symptom in itself of a illness or condition.
Symptoms to watch for when you are concerned about an elderly person are:
* Noticing that they are in an irritable mood often
* Are expressing feelings of sadness or grief that are not associated with a life event or loss
* You notice that they are experiencing bad temper bouts that are unusual for them
* There is a change in their appetite, which typically is a loss of appetite
* You may notice that there clothes do not fit (too loose or too tight) which inticates that they are not eating properly or that they may be eating too much in response to their feelings of depression
* You notice that they are always looking fatigued and expressing that they are always tired.
* They are complaining of having frequent memory loss
* They are saying that they are having abnormal thoughts or excessive or inappropriate guilt
* They are expressing thoughts of suicide or have made plans of suicide or have taken action to commit suicide.
Signs that caregivers and loved ones should look out for if they are concerned about depression in a elderly loved one:
Extreme sadness, or fatigue
The individual has lost interest in activities that previously held their interest
Their clothes appear loose as if they have lost weight or they appear to have gained weight
The seem to have lost appetite and may even have stopped eating on a regular basis
They appear to have a fixation with death
They may have increased their consumption of alcohol or drugs
They complain of vague aches or pain
Sleep may come with difficulty or they awake frequently during the night, or they oversleep or even possibly experience daytime sleepiness
They express feelings of worthlessness, or self-loathing
They may have unrealistic fears of death, or of losing loved ones, or even fear health issues or financial loss
When the elderly become depressed they may not admit to being sad or even deny being depressed. Actions can usually betray how they really are feeling. Those who suspect that an elderly person may be depressed should look for signs that the individual may be irritable, or experiencing a prolonged or unrealistic period of mourning following a loss (financial, loss of loved one or a loved pet). They may lack the energy level that they normal exhibit or show a lower than normal motivation level for an activity that used to motivate them to action.
Perhaps the best way to recognize elderly depression is to observe action or talk that is totally different than what is normal for that individual. Taking time to be with and observe the person that you are concerned with should give you an idea of whether or not they are functioning at a normal level.
