For those who don’t know, geriatric depression is a type of depression that affects the mentally and emotionally vulnerable elderly. Currently, geriatric depression affects 20% of the older adults in the community and 40% of those in long-term care. Many people go undiagnosed and untreated, but with the correct intervention, you can lessen the risk factors that lead to depression and cure it, whether you’re young or elderly.
Not merely feeling down, depression can manifest itself in a variety of ways. As a result, it’s possible that older people are depressed and are unaware of it. Subsyndromal depression is more common in people over the age of 50. They may experience fatigue, low appetite, constipation, pain, or poor sleep, as well as a general lack of enthusiasm in life. Some people may become concerned, confused, and forgetful, losing confidence or feeling like a burden in extreme circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are many more incidences of depression in older individuals that go unnoticed. Stay with us to learn more about the causes, symptoms, risk factors, simple diagnostic techniques, and treatments for depression in the elderly.
Causes of Geriatric Depression
Depression in old age is frequent, but it is not unavoidable. Loneliness, grief, long-term sickness, nursing homes and hospitalisation are all risk factors for depression. Contact the best home nursing services for a better environment. Excessive alcohol can often contribute to depression, and having a history of mental health conditions like dementia can also play a role.
There is no one cause of depression in any age range, though. A recent study has also suggested that the condition may have a hereditary component. As a result, they’ve come to the conclusion that biological, social, and psychological factors all play a part in depression among seniors. The following factors can also contribute to depression:
- If there is a lack of important neurotransmitter molecules ( such as serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.
- Abuse or the death of someone they loved or any traumatic life events.
Older persons may become depressed as a result of a series of unexpected challenges, such as:
- Bedridden or with restricted mobility
- Isolation from friends and family
- Having to deal with death
- The shift from job to retirement is a difficult one.
- Monetary difficulties
- Deaths of spouses, friends, and other loved ones
- Substance addiction over a long time
- Divorce
- Chronic medical illness
Since older adults are prone to a variety of diseases, these might lead to depression at times:
- Parkinson’s disease ( a neurological disorder )
- Stroke
- Coronary artery disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Thyroid issues
- B12 deficiency
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lupus
Symptoms of geriatric depression are frequently seen as a side effect of many routinely prescribed medications. Those who use a lot of drugs can be more vulnerable. While everyone can be affected by the mood-related side effects of some medications, older adults are especially vulnerable since their bodies become less efficient at metabolising and absorbing drugs as they become older.
If you become sad after starting a new drug, talk to your doctor immediately about lowering the dose or switching to a different medicine. This is why precautions should be taken when using certain medications like:
- Medications for high blood pressure
- Beta-blockers
- Drugs to control high cholesterol
- Tranquillisers
- Calcium-channel blockers
- Parkinson’s disease medications
- Sleeping pills
- Drugs for ulcers
- Heart drugs containing reserpine
- Steroids
- Painkillers
- Medications for arthritis
- Estrogens
- Anticholinergic drugs, which are used to treat gastrointestinal issues.
Symptoms of Depression
The majority of the time, elderly folks who are depressed do not recognise the symptoms of depression or do not take the necessary steps to get help. There are various reasons why elderly depression is often disregarded, such as the assumption that they are depressed for a legitimate reason or that depression is a natural part of ageing. With few people around to see your distress, you may feel less understood and lonely, which can contribute to depression. It’s possible that you aren’t aware that your bodily concerns are symptoms of depression.
Keeping an eye out for the signs and symptoms might help you and others around you recognise depression. Let us give you a few examples so you can be alert:
- Feeling depressed or sad
- Slowed down
- Aches and pains that are unexplained or worsened. (This could include headaches or an increase in arthritis pain.)
- Problems with the digestive system (Like upset tummy)
- Loss of interest in hobbies or socialising
- Suffering from a sense of hopelessness or helplessness
- Insufficient motivation and energy
- Disruptions in sleep (failing to fall asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness)
- Loss of self-esteem
- Slowed speech or action
- Increased usage of alcohol or drugs of any kind
- Suicide thoughts; fixation on death
- Problems with memory
- Neglecting self-care
- Stillness or restlessness
- Concentration issues
Risks of having depression
Depression can raise the chance of acquiring other illnesses and influence the severity of the hip fracture, stroke, and heart attack. It can be challenging to detect in elderly persons care as physical symptoms of depression could be mistaken for other long-term illnesses. Older adults may also be afraid of being stigmatised if they have depression. Therefore they may not seek care. As a result, it’s always a good idea to watch for the signs and symptoms that necessitate a deeper understanding of the symptoms.
Sadness, irritability, exhaustion, weeping spells, apathy, restlessness, lack of focus, withdrawal, sleep problems, and bodily aches and pains are just a few of the symptoms of depression that can be found in people of all ages.
Most importantly, it can be difficult for caregivers to see their loved ones suffer from depression; nevertheless, assistance is essential for both of them because they are at risk of depression themselves. A few basic questions can help you figure out whether someone you know is depressed: “Have you ever felt sad, despondent, or hopeless?” and “Have you ever been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things?”. The answers will give you an idea of how they’re feeling lately.
Diagnosis of Depression
When depression is diagnosed and treated, they have a 75% chance of fully recovering, so sit down with us, and we’ll show you how to handle this highly curable but underdiagnosed disease. Depression in the elderly may appear different, but it follows the same diagnostic criteria as depression in young adults. It may present differently, with less social interaction and more apathy, implying that they don’t feel anything, but highly effective treatments are available.
To meet the criteria for a depressive disorder, an older adult must experience five of the symptoms listed above for two weeks or longer, and those symptoms must have an impact on how they function, such as how they function in their friendships or relationships, how they take care of themselves, or how they engage in activities.
So, what should you do if you’re worried that your elderly parents are depressed? The first thing you should do is talk to them about what you’ve noticed, and when you do, be passionate and concerned and offer to assist them in getting assessed and treated. So, here are the steps we would recommend for evaluating:
- We recommend that you and your loved one, or even them alone, visit their primary care professional first to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing these symptoms.
- Once medical issues have been ruled out or adequately addressed, assist your loved one in contacting a mental health practitioner specialising in older adults.
Treatment of Depression in Elderly
Depression, like any other disease, may be treated by reducing risk factors, so start by asking questions, seeing the person, and understanding them rather than their age. Medicine, psychotherapy or counselling, electroconvulsive treatment, or other newer forms of brain stimulation are all options for treating depression (such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation or RTMS). A combination of these treatments may be employed in some cases. A doctor’s recommendation is based on a variety of factors, including the kind and severity of depressive symptoms, previous therapies, and overall health.
Common forms of treatment for depression include:
- Psychotherapy, counselling, or “talk therapy” is a type of therapy that can assist a person in identifying and changing problematic emotions, beliefs, and behaviours. It could be done with the help of a psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a psychiatrist, or another qualified mental health care provider. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) are two ways to treat depression (IPT).
- Antidepressant drugs come in a variety of forms. They can help to balance hormones that affect mood, such as serotonin. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are usually recommended to senior citizens. A psychiatrist, mental health nurse practitioner, or primary care physician can prescribe drugs and help monitor their effects.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a procedure that involves placing electrodes on a person’s head to allow a safe, mild electric current to travel through the brain. This sort of therapy is usually considered only after other therapies have failed to improve a person’s condition.
Support from family and friends, participation in self-help and support groups, and psychotherapy are all beneficial to the majority of depressed people. Psychotherapy is especially effective for those who have had substantial high levels of stress (such as the loss of friends and family, house relocations, and health issues) or who prefer not to take medicine and only have mild to moderate symptoms.
It can also benefit patients who are unable to take medications due to their side effects, drug combinations, or other medical conditions. In older adults, psychotherapy can help with a variety of functional and social issues that can arise as a result of depression. Many doctors recommend psychotherapy in addition to antidepressants.
Each person’s treatment options are unique, and it may be necessary to try many treatments before finding one that works. If the current treatment plan isn’t working, it’s critical to tell your doctor and keep looking for anything that will work. To improve their well-being and manage stress, some people may attempt complementary health treatments such as yoga. However, there is no evidence that these treatments may successfully cure depression on their own. While they can be used in conjunction with other therapies recommended by a doctor, they should not be used in place of medical care.
Simple ways of prevention
Some suggestions that may save you or a loved one from geriatric depression are:
- Make an effort to be active and exercise.
- Make reasonable goals for yourself.
- Spend time with other individuals and confide in a trusted family member or friend.
- Try not to isolate yourself and accept aid from others.
- Expect your mood to improve over time rather than immediately.
- Continue to learn about depression.
In conclusion, depression is not a normal part of ageing, and as a result of the false belief that depression comes with age, many older adults are living with clinical depression when they don’t have to. This is because many people incorrectly believe that if someone is old or ill, they must be depressed, but this belief is not only incorrect, it also makes people suffer when they don’t have to.
According to studies, 80 percent of depression in older individuals is treatable, but they can go untreated as their depression goes unreported. Depression treatment in older adults relieves pain and lowers the risk of other medical issues. Allowing them to spend more time at home, eliminating the possibility of developing depression due to their medical issues or hospitalisation. The worst part is that those who have untreated geriatric depression feel more lonely and isolated than those who have it treated.
This is why we should help. First, we must change our perception that ageing brings depression since it does not. Second, you can assist your ageing parents or loved ones in connecting with professionals and resources that can help them manage their distress and relieve their pain. So, rather than ignoring these signs and symptoms, step in and share your worries, as well as assist them in connecting with the right professionals.