Depression in Late Life

Article submitted by Leah M. Smith, MAMFC, Admission's Coordinator at Community Care Hospital.
For more information, she can be reached at 504-899-2500.

What is depression?
We all feel sad at times. However, clinical depression is a serious matter. Clinical depression is a biologically based brain disorder that affects one's thoughts, feelings, behavior, and physical health. Depression is second only to heart disease as a cause of disability according to the World Health Organization. Clinical depression does not discriminate - it can develop in anyone at any age. Depression is a serious medical illness that affects more than 11.6 million Americans, including older persons, in any given year. Unfortunately, less than one-third of the persons with clinical depression actually seek treatment for their illness.

Symptoms of Depression:

• Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
• Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
• Pessimism, indifference
• Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
• Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks, or if any of these symptoms interfere with work or family activities, consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation. This should include a complete physical exam as some other illnesses can cause these symptoms. Be open and honest about how you are feeling and review your family's history with him or her.

Can depression in older persons be treated?
The good news is depression is treatable and new research findings even open the possibility for prevention by identifying people very early in the course of depression or by identifying those at high risk. Depression can be treated within patient or outpatient programs offered throughout the community.