Lifting late-life depression

Don’t accept the blues as a normal part of aging

An occasional bout of the blues is normal. But persistent sadness or a loss of interest in people or activities once enjoyed can signal a more serious case of depression—a medical illness that’s not normal. Fortunately, the symptoms of depression can be relieved with the right treatment. The first step toward healing is recognizing those symptoms, either in yourself or in someone you love.

The warning signs

Many people wrongly assume that feeling down is an inevitable part of aging. An illness or a stressful event such as the loss of a loved one can trigger depression in older adults. But depression needs to be treated since it tends to get more serious over time and can lead to severe mental and physical problems, even suicide. In fact, most suicides in this country are committed by older adults.

So how do you know whether you or someone you care for is suffering from late-life depression? If you or a loved one has been suffering from any of these symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily routine, the best course is to see your doctor:

• withdrawal from activities or social isolation

• lack of interest in physical appearance or health

• persistent sadness

• persistent fatigue or lethargy

• frequent tearfulness

• prolonged or excessive worries

• sleep irregularities, such as difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

• concentration and memory difficulties

• weight changes

• unexplained physical pain

• feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

• difficulty making decisions

• severe depression that lasts longer than two months after the loss of a loved one

Take a sad mood and make it better

Whether late-life depression is caused by an outside source or appears suddenly for no apparent reason, the condition is highly treatable. After performing a complete medical checkup, a doctor may prescribe antidepressants, counseling or both. Regular exercise may also relieve some symptoms of mild depression.

Most people who receive treatment eventually recover, sometimes within weeks. Sometimes the process will take longer while the doctor will try several different treatments to find one that works best for the patient.

The bottom line? Never accept persistent depression as a normal part of life.

Not uncommon

An estimated 7 million Americans over age 65 suffer from mild to severe depression. Depression is not a sign of weakness—doctors think depression is the result of an imbalance in brain chemicals. The condition can be triggered by:

• illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and hypothyroidism

• medications such as beta-blockers, muscle relaxants and medications for ulcers or Parkinson’s disease

• emotional stress, including grief

• functional difficulties such as vision loss or a decline in mobility

Scary statistic

One in four suicides in this country involves an adult over age 65, with most of those deaths attributable to untreated depression. If an older adult you know talks about welcoming death or ending life and hoards pills or owns a gun, get him or her immediate help and remove dangerous drugs and weapons from the home.