AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Depression: 

Don’t Let the Blues 

Hang Around

Everyone feels blue now and then. 

It’s part of life. But if you no longer 

enjoy activities that you usually like, 

you may have a more serious problem. 

Being depressed, without letup, can 

change the way you think and feel. 

Doctors call this “clinical depression.” 

Being “down in the dumps” over 

a period of time is not a normal 

part of getting older. But it is a 

common problem, and medical help may be needed. 

For most people, 

depression will 

get better with 

treatment. “Talk” 

therapy, medicine, or 

other treatment methods 

can ease the pain of depression. You do not need to suffer. 

There are many reasons why 

depression in older people is often 

missed or untreated. As a person ages, 

the signs of depression are much 

more varied than at younger ages. 

It can appear as increased tiredness, 

or it can be seen as grumpiness or 

irritability. Depression can be tricky 

to recognize in older adults. Confusion or attention problems caused 

by depression can sometimes look 

like Alzheimer’s disease or other 

brain disorders. 

Mood changes and signs of 

depression can be caused by medicines older people may take for 

arthritis, high blood pressure, or 

heart disease. It can be hard for a 

doctor to detect depression. The 

good news is that people who are 

depressed usually feel better with 

the right treatment.

What Causes Depression?

There is no one cause of depression. 

For some people, a single event can 

bring on the illness. Depression often 

strikes people who felt fine but who 

suddenly find they are dealing with a 

death in the family or a serious illness. 

For some people, changes in brain 

chemistry can affect mood and cause 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Depression: 

Don’t Let the Blues 

Hang Around

Everyone feels blue now and then. 

It’s part of life. But if you no longer 

enjoy activities that you usually like, 

you may have a more serious problem. 

Being depressed, without letup, can 

change the way you think and feel. 

Doctors call this “clinical depression.” 

Being “down in the dumps” over 

a period of time is not a normal 

part of getting older. But it is a 

common problem, and medical help may be needed. 

For most people, 

depression will 

get better with 

treatment. “Talk” 

therapy, medicine, or 

other treatment methods 

can ease the pain of depression. You do not need to suffer. 

There are many reasons why 

depression in older people is often 

missed or untreated. As a person ages, 

the signs of depression are much 

more varied than at younger ages. 

It can appear as increased tiredness, 

or it can be seen as grumpiness or 

irritability. Depression can be tricky 

to recognize in older adults. Confusion or attention problems caused 

by depression can sometimes look 

like Alzheimer’s disease or other 

brain disorders. 

Mood changes and signs of 

depression can be caused by medicines older people may take for 

arthritis, high blood pressure, or 

heart disease. It can be hard for a 

doctor to detect depression. The 

good news is that people who are 

depressed usually feel better with 

the right treatment.

What Causes Depression?

There is no one cause of depression. 

For some people, a single event can 

bring on the illness. Depression often 

strikes people who felt fine but who 

suddenly find they are dealing with a 

death in the family or a serious illness. 

For some people, changes in brain 

chemistry can affect mood and cause 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Depression: 

Don’t Let the Blues 

Hang Around

Everyone feels blue now and then. 

It’s part of life. But if you no longer 

enjoy activities that you usually like, 

you may have a more serious problem. 

Being depressed, without letup, can 

change the way you think and feel. 

Doctors call this “clinical depression.” 

Being “down in the dumps” over 

a period of time is not a normal 

part of getting older. But it is a 

common problem, and medical help may be needed. 

For most people, 

depression will 

get better with 

treatment. “Talk” 

therapy, medicine, or 

other treatment methods 

can ease the pain of depression. You do not need to suffer. 

There are many reasons why 

depression in older people is often 

missed or untreated. As a person ages, 

the signs of depression are much 

more varied than at younger ages. 

It can appear as increased tiredness, 

or it can be seen as grumpiness or 

irritability. Depression can be tricky 

to recognize in older adults. Confusion or attention problems caused 

by depression can sometimes look 

like Alzheimer’s disease or other 

brain disorders. 

Mood changes and signs of 

depression can be caused by medicines older people may take for 

arthritis, high blood pressure, or 

heart disease. It can be hard for a 

doctor to detect depression. The 

good news is that people who are 

depressed usually feel better with 

the right treatment.

What Causes Depression?

There is no one cause of depression. 

For some people, a single event can 

bring on the illness. Depression often 

strikes people who felt fine but who 

suddenly find they are dealing with a 

death in the family or a serious illness. 

For some people, changes in brain 

chemistry can affect mood and cause 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Depression: 

Don’t Let the Blues 

Hang Around

Everyone feels blue now and then. 

It’s part of life. But if you no longer 

enjoy activities that you usually like, 

you may have a more serious problem. 

Being depressed, without letup, can 

change the way you think and feel. 

Doctors call this “clinical depression.” 

Being “down in the dumps” over 

a period of time is not a normal 

part of getting older. But it is a 

common problem, and medical help may be needed. 

For most people, 

depression will 

get better with 

treatment. “Talk” 

therapy, medicine, or 

other treatment methods 

can ease the pain of depression. You do not need to suffer. 
8 9 

Several kinds 

of talk therapies 

are useful as well. 

One method 

might help give 

you a more 

positive outlook 

on life. Always 

thinking about 

the sad things in your life or what 

you have lost might have led to 

your depression. Another method 

works to improve your relations 

with others to give you more 

hope about your future.

Getting better takes time, but 

with support from others and treatment you will get a little better 

each day. 

Antidepressant drugs (medicine 

to treat depression) can also help. 

These medications can improve 

your mood, sleep, appetite, and 

concentration. There are several 

types of antidepressants available. 

Some of these medicines can take 

up to 12 weeks before you feel like 

they are working. Your doctor may 

want you to continue medications 

for 6 months or more after your 

symptoms disappear.

Some antidepressants can cause 

unwanted side effects, although 

newer medicines have fewer side 

effects. Any antidepressant should 

be used with great care to avoid 

this problem. Remember:

✦ The doctor needs to know 

about all prescribed and 

over-the-counter medications, 

vitamins, or herbal supplements 

you are taking. 

✦ The doctor should also be 

aware of any other physical 

problems you have. 

✦ Be sure to take antidepressants 

in the proper dose and on the 

right schedule. 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 

can also help. Don’t be misled by 

the way some movies and books 

have portrayed ECT (also called 

electroshock therapy). They do 

not give a true picture. ECT may 

be recommended when medicines 

can’t be tolerated or when a quick 

response is needed. ECT is given 

as a series of treatments over a few 

weeks. Like other antidepressant 

therapies, follow-up treatment is 

often needed to help prevent a 

return of depression.
8 9 

Several kinds 

of talk therapies 

are useful as well. 

One method 

might help give 

you a more 

positive outlook 

on life. Always 

thinking about 

the sad things in your life or what 

you have lost might have led to 

your depression. Another method 

works to improve your relations 

with others to give you more 

hope about your future.

Getting better takes time, but 

with support from others and treatment you will get a little better 

each day. 

Antidepressant drugs (medicine 

to treat depression) can also help. 

These medications can improve 

your mood, sleep, appetite, and 

concentration. There are several 

types of antidepressants available. 

Some of these medicines can take 

up to 12 weeks before you feel like 

they are working. Your doctor may 

want you to continue medications 

for 6 months or more after your 

symptoms disappear.

Some antidepressants can cause 

unwanted side effects, although 

newer medicines have fewer side 

effects. Any antidepressant should 

be used with great care to avoid 

this problem. Remember:

✦ The doctor needs to know 

about all prescribed and 

over-the-counter medications, 

vitamins, or herbal supplements 

you are taking. 

✦ The doctor should also be 

aware of any other physical 

problems you have. 

✦ Be sure to take antidepressants 

in the proper dose and on the 

right schedule. 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 

can also help. Don’t be misled by 

the way some movies and books 

have portrayed ECT (also called 

electroshock therapy). They do 

not give a true picture. ECT may 

be recommended when medicines 

can’t be tolerated or when a quick 

response is needed. ECT is given 

as a series of treatments over a few 

weeks. Like other antidepressant 

therapies, follow-up treatment is 

often needed to help prevent a 

return of depression.
8 9 

Several kinds 

of talk therapies 

are useful as well. 

One method 

might help give 

you a more 

positive outlook 

on life. Always 

thinking about 

the sad things in your life or what 

you have lost might have led to 

your depression. Another method 

works to improve your relations 

with others to give you more 

hope about your future.

Getting better takes time, but 

with support from others and treatment you will get a little better 

each day. 

Antidepressant drugs (medicine 

to treat depression) can also help. 

These medications can improve 

your mood, sleep, appetite, and 

concentration. There are several 

types of antidepressants available. 

Some of these medicines can take 

up to 12 weeks before you feel like 

they are working. Your doctor may 

want you to continue medications 

for 6 months or more after your 

symptoms disappear.

Some antidepressants can cause 

unwanted side effects, although 

newer medicines have fewer side 

effects. Any antidepressant should 

be used with great care to avoid 

this problem. Remember:

✦ The doctor needs to know 

about all prescribed and 

over-the-counter medications, 

vitamins, or herbal supplements 

you are taking. 

✦ The doctor should also be 

aware of any other physical 

problems you have. 

✦ Be sure to take antidepressants 

in the proper dose and on the 

right schedule. 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 

can also help. Don’t be misled by 

the way some movies and books 

have portrayed ECT (also called 

electroshock therapy). They do 

not give a true picture. ECT may 

be recommended when medicines 

can’t be tolerated or when a quick 

response is needed. ECT is given 

as a series of treatments over a few 

weeks. Like other antidepressant 

therapies, follow-up treatment is 

often needed to help prevent a 

return of depression.
8 

Several kinds 

of talk therapies 

are useful as well. 

One method 

might help give 

you a more 

positive outlook 

on life. Always 

thinking about 

the sad things in your life or what 

you have lost might have led to 

your depression. Another method 

works to improve your relations 

with others to give you more 

hope about your future.

Getting better takes time, but 

with support from others and treatment you will get a little better 

each day. 

Antidepressant drugs (medicine 

to treat depression) can also help. 

These medications can improve 

your mood, sleep, appetite, and 

concentration. There are several 

types of antidepressants available. 

Some of these medicines can take 

up to 12 weeks before you feel like 

they are working. Your doctor may 

want you to continue medications 

for 6 months or more after your 

symptoms disappear.