Depression often runs in families. Unfortunately, depression is sometimes neglected or misdiagnosed in older adults. The diagnosis of depression is a significant one and should be made by a healthcare provider. There are simple questionnaires that can help diagnose depression in older adults. The two main treatments are psychotherapy and medications.
Many healthcare providers feel that a combination of the two is preferred.
Some people will need to take medications for the rest of their lives, but many people can be stabilized and then the medication may be able to be stopped. There are new antidepressants that have very few side effects and that usually work well for older adults. Counseling for depression is often short-term, sometimes as little as once a week for a few weeks or months. Depression is a medical illness and not something you can overcome by yourself. All Rights Reserved.