Spotting Depression in Seniors

An Invisible Epidemic
We all have days in which we are sad or have thoughts of hopelessness – but for many, it goes beyond that. Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is, by definition, a medical illness characterized by a chronic sense of sadness and loss of interest in activities. Depression can often dictate the way in which you feel, think, and act – and if not treated, it can lead to everything from alcohol and drug abuse to attempted suicide.
While signs of depression may be more obvious to spot in younger people, or even middle-aged adults, it’s easy to overlook them in older adults. That’s because they’re often mistaken for other signs of aging. Studies show that when depressed, seniors may not clearly display typical signs of sadness such as crying. Instead, they tend to withdraw from the people they care about and the things they once loved to do.
Signs of Depression
• Irritability: This is often expressed in place of sadness, as the latter can be seen as a sign of weakness. Anger and frustration, on the other hand, are thought to be less embarrassing ways of expressing feelings of sadness and worthlessness.
• Withdraw: As mentioned above, withdrawing not only from people but favorite activities can suggest that a senior loved one is depressed. In many cases, older adults will also stop eating, which can then cause other physical problems to occur.
• Decrease in Cognitive Ability: Everything from focus level to speech can be affected by depression. One study showed that half of its participants, who were older adults suffering from depression, struggled with certain decision-making skills. Not surprisingly, this can be confused for symptoms of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
• Increased Pain:. Older adults can quickly fall into depression because of pain, but depression also amplifies the pain itself.
• Digestive Problems: Recent research has shown that we have a tendency to keep stress in our gut, and its well-being can be reflective of our mental health. From frequent bouts of diarrhea or constipation, any chronic changes in bowel behavior can indicate depression.
The Next Steps
If you recognize the aforementioned signs in your senior loved one, don’t dismiss them. It’s important to talk to him or her about what he or she is feeling. Although you may receive some resistance initially, it’s important to let him or her know that you’re there to help. From there, it’s vital that you inform his or her primary health care provider or mental health expert to have symptoms assessed professionally.
Myles McNamara is the owner of Comfort Keepers In-Home Care, and can be reached at 661-287-4200.