The depressed person's withdrawal from others can make it nearly impossible to encourage them to enter into activities or conversation that may help to alleviate the loneliness of depression. Sometimes it is very difficult for a depressed person to carry on a conversation. Because the individual may not know what is wrong, questions about their condition may be met with crying and frustration. Attempts to help may be met with defensiveness and verbal attacks. If friends and family are unable to convince a depressed person to seek help, it may be necessary for them to obtain professional guidance on how to be supportive.
Depression can affect a person at any age.
As an illness it has been recognized in children, adolescents, the middle-aged and the elderly. The elderly commonly get depressed as a result of physical problems, retirement, declining income, loss of loved ones or loneliness. Middle-aged adults are more likely to become depressed than any other age group. Goals that seem unattainable, children leaving home, and loss of parents may trigger depression. Young adults frequently become depressed as they struggle with intense job and family responsibilities and search for fulfillment.