Understanding and Addressing Depression in Old Age By Dr SHANTHI NAMBI, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof & Head, Dept of Psychiatry, Saveetha Medical College, Chennai-India

 

Depressed looking old man
                    Canva Design Modified by Blog Owner Santalakshmi

What is Depression?

As individuals age, it's essential to recognize that depression is not an inherent aspect of the aging process. Contrary to misconceptions, it is a biological disorder, a medical illness, and a public health concern that, like heart disease or diabetes, can be effectively treated. However, the complexities surrounding depression in old age often lead to inadequate recognition and treatment.

Recognizing Depression: Not a Normal Part of Aging

Depression is not a natural consequence of growing older. Acknowledging it as a treatable medical condition, similar to other illnesses, is crucial. Despite its treatability, depression is poorly understood and frequently goes unrecognized. Proper treatment can yield positive results, with up to 80% of affected individuals recovering and experiencing an improved quality of life.

Handling Fears and Concerns in Life After 60

Fear is a common challenge for the elderly, stemming from issues such as rejection, failure, anticipation of death, dependency, and disability. Overcoming these fears involves defining, understanding, accepting, and facing them. Taking control of one's fears can significantly contribute to mental well-being.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Old Age

Recognizing the signs and symptoms is pivotal. Core symptoms include sustained depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, decreased energy, and increased fatigue. Additional symptoms encompass changes in self-esteem, guilt, thoughts of death, indecisiveness, altered psychomotor activity, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes.

Factors Leading to Depression in Old Age

Depression can arise from emotional, psychological, biological, and socio-economic factors. on emotional factors such as loss and grief, loneliness and social isolation, and adjustment to life changes. biological factors such as neurotransmitter imbalance, family history of depression, age-related brain changes and lastly socio socio-economic factors such as economic challenges, limited access to health care services, cultural expectations, and social attitude towards aging are factors which can cause geriatric depression.

Chronic illnesses often trigger or exacerbate depression, with higher prevalence rates observed in individuals with conditions like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, and chronic lung disease.

Challenges in Recognition and Diagnosis

Stigma, time constraints, and competing demands hinder the recognition and diagnosis of depression in the elderly. A significant portion of older adults, over 50%, may not openly report feelings of sadness or changes in behavior. This reluctance to discuss mood-related issues can create a barrier to accurate diagnosis, as symptoms may manifest through somatic complaints rather than direct expressions of emotional distress.

Depression in the elderly might manifest through physical complaints, such as pain or fatigue, rather than explicit acknowledgment of emotional distress. This can lead to a misinterpretation of symptoms and complicate the recognition of underlying depressive disorders.

Physical Illness and Depression

Physical illnesses can induce or worsen depression in the elderly. Dependency and disability are crucial variables contributing to depression, emphasizing the importance of holistic care. Recognizing the intricate connection between physical health and mental well-being, holistic care becomes crucial. Holistic care involves addressing not only the physical symptoms of an illness but also the psychological and emotional aspects. Providing support for mental health alongside medical treatment can significantly improve the overall quality of life for our senior population

Management of Depression in the Elderly

Effective management involves appropriate antidepressant therapy, addressing physical disorders causing depression, providing psychological support, and integrating mental health care with physical health. Psychological support, including counseling, therapy, and support groups, offers a safe space for individuals to express their feelings, explore coping mechanisms, and work towards mental resilience

Psychological Treatment for Depression

Psychological interventions like psychoeducation, counseling, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and family therapy play a vital role in addressing depression. These psychological interventions go beyond just addressing depression – they empower older adults to understand, cope, and thrive. By incorporating these tools into the care of our seniors, we can contribute to a more fulfilling and positive journey through their golden years. It’s about fostering a supportive environment that recognizes and honors the unique mental health needs of our elderly loved ones

Prevalence of Depression in Old Age in India

In India, the prevalence of depression among elderly individuals is a notable concern. Various epidemiological surveys suggest that approximately 13-22% of the elderly population may experience depressive symptoms. Among them, around 2-3% are estimated to have a major depressive disorder, a more severe form of depression that often requires professional intervention.

It's essential to recognize that depression in older adults can be underreported or overlooked, making it challenging to determine the exact prevalence. Substantial depressive symptoms may be observed in 20-30% of the elderly population in general.

Suggestions to Minimize Depression in the Elderly in India

To minimize depression among the elderly in India, regular health check-ups, mobile clinics, geriatric polyclinics, and a national policy for aged care are crucial steps.

In conclusion, understanding, recognizing, and addressing depression in old age is imperative for ensuring the mental well-being of our elderly population. Emphasizing the treatability of depression and implementing comprehensive strategies can significantly enhance the lives of the elderly in our communities

Acquired Senior Citizen status recently. Hope my blog will be informative and useful to our Senior Citizens community. P.S. My Profile Pic is an AI Generated Image!

Most Read

Every Senior Should Read This: To Dye or Not to Dye

Image
    Light and weighty issues about seniors and hair coloring                               Photo by Menuyert Gonullu from Pexels I began to color my hair in my early forties My sister started coloring her hair when she was a mere 35 years old.   Premature greying runs in the family.   Solution? Dye or color it to its original beautiful color. In our case black.   When I started to grey I felt compelled to do it. Indian Brown-face combined with white hair didn’t do much for my self-confidence. Hence color it (back) black I did.   Now at 63 years, I don’t have such compelling reasons. But coloring my hair has become a habit.   I have a friend who was ambivalent about covering up her grey hair. She took the dyeing route, then stopped after a decade of doing so.  Her hair turned snowy white. Many people did not recognize her. After a couple of years, her snowy-...
Read more

Female Urinary Incontinence: Medical Condition Affecting Elderly Women-Causes & Treatment- Contributed By Dr. Anuradha Manoharan MBBS, MD (Obs and Gyn) FRCOG

Image
                      Photo by Teona Swift from Pexels What is Urinary Incontinence?   It is a loss of bladder control resulting in leakage of urine.   It usually occurs in the elderly and can range from a few drops to moderate amounts.   One should consult a doctor if the symptoms limit daily activities and social interactions.   It can be temporary due to an underlying medical condition or more chronic   What causes Urinary Incontinence?   Though it is not an inevitable result of aging, UI is more common after the age of 50 .   It occurs due to specific changes in body function as a result of disease or an effect of medication.   For example, urinary incontinence may be the only symptom of a urinary tract infection. So when the infection is treated the incontinence resolves.   Women are most likely to develop UI during pregnancy and childbirth or at menopause due to ...
Read more

9 Key Facts on Income Tax in India that You Should Know About

Image
    Photo by Tara Winstead:   A good percentage of seniors in India retire or stop working when they turn 60. They become officially a ‘senior’ as the retirement age at the majority of workplaces is 60 years. Professionals like doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants etc with their own practice will of course stop working only when they wish to. For the bulk of seniors income dwindles after retirement. Those who had been in government service would receive an inflation-adjusted pension. For the rest, income would be from their investments in Fixed Deposits, Post Office schemes, Pension Plans, Bonds, Mutual Funds and company shares. Senior or not, Retired or not, Income Tax is payable on Income Earned, subject to certain limits. The Government of India treats Senior Citizens in a separate, and slightly benign way! More Tax concessions are given to Senior Citizens as against other age groups. Presumably taking cognizance of the decreased earnings and earning p...
Read more