Depression: Don't Let the Blues Hang Around 

Everyone feels blue now and then. But if you no longer enjoy

activities that you usually like, there may be a more serious problem.

Depression is not a normal part of getting older, but it is common.

The good news is that people who are depressed usually feel better

with the right treatment.

Depression in older people is often missed. As people age, signs of

depression become more varied. Depression can appear as

increased tiredness or irritability. Confusion or attention problems

caused by depression can sometimes look like Alzheimer's disease

or other brain disorders. 

Here is a list of the most common signs of depression. If you have

several of these, and they last for more than 2 weeks, see a doctor. 

• An "empty" feeling, ongoing sadness, and anxiety

• Tiredness, lack of energy

• Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities, including sex

• Eating or sleeping more or less than usual

• Crying

• Aches and pains that don't go away when treated 

• A hard time focusing, remembering, or making decisions 

• Feeling guilty, helpless, worthless, or hopeless 

• Being irritable 

• Thoughts of death or suicide; a suicide attempt 

Many people believe that depressed people can "snap out of it" and

that some people are too old to be helped. They are wrong.

Your doctor or mental health expert can often treat your depression

successfully. The doctor should check to see if your depression could

be caused by a physical problem (such as hypothyroidism or vitamin

B12 deficiency) or a medicine you are taking. After a complete exam,

your doctor may suggest you talk to a social worker, counselor,

psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Some family doctors know little about aging and depression. If your

doctor is unable or unwilling to help, talk to another health care

provider. 

Getting help doesn’t have to be expensive. Often, only short-term

therapy is needed, which is usually covered by insurance. Also, some

community mental health centers offer treatment based on a person's

ability to pay. In Montgomery County, low-income people can call the

Senior Mental Health Program, 240-777-3990.

To lower the risk of depression, here are a few steps you can take:

Try to prepare for major changes in life, such as retirement or moving

from your home of many years. Keep friendships. Friends can help

ease loneliness if you lose a spouse. Develop a hobby that will keep

your mind and body active. Stay in touch with family. Let them help

you when you feel sad. If you are faced with a lot to do, break it all

into smaller jobs that are easy to finish. 

Exercise can also help prevent depression or lift your mood if you are

already depressed. People who are depressed can gain mental as

well as physical benefits from mild forms of exercise like walking

outdoors or in shopping malls. 

For information about depression in general and depression in older

adults, please contact:

National Institute of Mental Health

866-615-6464 (for publications/toll-free) 

301-443-4513

www.nimh.nih.gov

Visit NIHSeniorHealth.gov (www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the National Institute on Aging and the National

Library of Medicine. It has large type and a talking function that

"reads" the text out loud.

Much of this article comes from the National Institute on Aging’s Age

Page Depression: Don't Let the Blues Hang Around.