Depression is one of the leading mental health concerns among our aging population. More than 7 million adults over age 65 suffer from depression (cdc.gov, 2004). Mental health is often seen as a taboo subject and can be especially difficult to discuss and identify in people over 65. One contributing factor is that many older adults have experienced the death of a significant loved one. This can include the loss of a spouse or a child, devastating losses that forever change one’s life. Our older adults are also often isolated at home, where excess spare time can lead to complicated grief after the loss of a loved one. Here are some ways to identify senior depression.
If you have several of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you may have depression.
- Feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness, or having trouble sitting still
- Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Eating more or less than usual, usually with unplanned weight gain or loss
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- Physical aches or pains, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear cause
- Frequent crying
(nih.gov, 2017)
If you’ve answered yes to some or to all of these questions, talk to your healthcare provider about options for treatment. Treatments can include talk therapy, medications, and other modalities.