“Everyone deserves a good quality of life. “

Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by some of the following symptoms: persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, lack of energy, hopelessness or helplessness, chronic pain, or suicidal ideation.

Depressive disorder is the second leading cause of disability worldwide in developing nations. The World Health Organization identified major depressive disorder as the fourth leading disease worldwide. 

Depression in Older Adults.

Older adults are especially at risk of depression symptoms and comorbidities because their support circles tend to be smaller, and they have relatively little awareness about depression symptoms.

RISK FACTORS OF DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS

• Single, divorce, or widowed
• Lower socioeconomic status
• Pervious medical comorbidities
• Insomnia
• Isolation
• Chronic or uncontrolled pain
• Female

Most older adults (68%) are unaware that depression is a health problem.  Depression in older adults are often unrecognized because they are less likely to report depression as their chief or complaint when they seek care from their physician.  They are more likely to try to handle the problem themselves instead of seeking appropriate medical attention even when they may silently struggle with depression or anxiety.

More than 50% of older adults believe that it is normal for people to get depressed and it is part of normal aging.

Signs and symptoms of depression 

People with depression at times present with subclinical symptoms, and as a result it goes underdiagnosed and untreated..  Additionally, people who present with depressive mood could sometimes have different mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder.  

Also, depression in older adults is associated with increased functional impairment, reduced quality of life, morbidity, higher 12-month mortality rates, and increased fall. 

Common signs and symptoms of depressive mood:

• Feeling hopeless or helpless
• Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities a person used to enjoy
• Suicidal or self-harm thoughts
• Feeling guilty
• Lack of self esteem
• Inability to concentrate

physical signs and symptoms of depression:

• Headache, chest tightness, back pain, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, heart palpitation, abdominal pain, or muscle spasm
• Sleeping difficulties or fatigue most of the day
• Appetite or weight changes

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Do you feel low, depressed, hopeless, or lose interest in doing things? I you do, you may want to speak to your doctor or family about getting help. Early recognition of depression is essential in the management of depressive moods or major depressive disorder.

If you know any older adults who are feeling sad or depressed, please support them and encourage them to seek help. Look around you, it can be your mother, father, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or your neighbors.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Depression in older adults can be treated with psychotherapy, medications, or combination of both. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is another treatment option for older adults. When the patient has current comorbid medical conditions or uncontrolled pain, treating those conditions can help the depressive mood. It is very important for the patient to verbalize their feeling to healthcare professional in order to get the help they need.

OTHER WAYS TO REDUCE DEPRESSION

These are the few steps you can do to reduce depression without medication:

• Mindful meditation.
• Reach out for help from family, friends, or relatives.
• Join a club or start a new hobby.
• Modify lifestyle by eating healthy food and/or exercise.
• Find a new purpose in life.
• Improve your sleeping habits.
• Live in the present.

RESOURCES: ASSESSMENT TOOLS

There are several depression assessments tools available to public to screen depression.  Attached below are three of depression screening tool that you can try.

Disclaimers: Please note that all content in this website is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on personal or health advice.

1. Geriatric Depression Scale

2. Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)

3. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)