In fact, only about ten percent of adults with late-life depression ever get treated. This is just not the case. Statistics indicate that close to 60 percent of older Americans feel that depression is a normal part of aging. Browse through our comprehensive listing of Aging Resources. Symptoms may include persistent anxiety or worry, trouble sleeping, changes in eating or sleeping habits, trouble with energy or concentration or thoughts of hurting themselves.
Clinical depression is a very treatable illness.
The most commonly known antidepressants are those that work on serotonin in the brain. However, newer classes of antidepressants that work on the noradrenaline transmitter system are considered very effective in treating older patients with depression. Mr. Bosley has seen first-hand how depression has affected his own friends and family members and how treatment can help. Others have thought they could handle the problem on their own. And still others were too embarrassed to talk about their problems and ask for help.