Depression can happen anytime or as we age, but there are always ways to boost how you feel and make your older years healthy and happy. Hence, in the following article, you’ll come across various signs & causes of depression in elderly.
Signs of Depression in Elderly
- Sadness or feelings of despair
- Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains
- Loss of interest in socializing or hobbies
- Weight loss or loss of appetite (feeling of hunger deprived)
- Feelings hopeless or helpless
- Low energy and motivation
- Insomniac, Sleep Apnea
- Speech and slow movements
- Increasing the use of alcohol and drugs
- thoughts of suicide, waiting for death
- They keep forgetting things
- skipping meals, forgetting meds, neglecting personal hygiene is a part of them
Medical conditions that can are responsible for the causes of depression in elderly
It’s essential to be aware that medical problems can be one of the causes of depression in old age, directly or as a psychological reaction to the illness. Any medical condition, mainly if it is painful, disabling, or life-threatening, can lead to depression or make your depression symptoms worse.
These include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Tip 1: Stay connected and Reach out
When you are depressed, you may not like doing anything or see anybody. But isolation only makes causes of depression in old age worse. On your own, it can be challenging to maintain your proper perspective and understand to work on low. Make sure you are connected to the outside world and are not alone for a more extended period any day. You should always be in touch with your loved ones even if you can not make new friends; this will keep you fresh and happy.
Note: Digital communication is not a replacement for physical meetings. Do your best to daily. Your mood will be good enough. Also, it’s never too late to make new friends.
Tip 2: Find purpose and meaning to live
To overcome depression—and stop it coming back—it’s essential to continue to feel engaged and enjoy a definite purpose in life. Life changes as we age, and you can lose things that previously occupied your time and gave life its meaning. But there are still numerous ways you can find new purpose in life and continue to feel engaged in the world. Sometimes it’s just a matter of reframing how you think of yourself or the aging process.
Tip 3: Adopt excellent and healthy habits
It is tough to find motivation in doing something when you are depressed—You should look at what you eat and care about your health. You’ll feel much better if you take care of your body better.
Don’t sit idle
The most potent way to treat depression is exercise. It works the same as the antidepressants. You don’t need to do a full-fledged exercise, but you can at least workout to satiate yourself. Start with a little jog or walk and see how you feel. Look to add up a few movements in your body every day. Shop grocery, go hiking, go shopping!
quality sleep
Many older adults have sleep problems, particularly insomnia. But lack of sleep is one of the major causes of depression in old age & creates even more disturbance in the mental health of a depressed person. You should at least sleep for 7 to 9 hours every night to be well and fit.
Counseling & therapy
Therapy and counseling can find out the core reason for the recession, not just symptoms.
- Why the recession and the symptoms make this clear about the elderly, most of the depression cases are due to not paying attention to them. Working on loneliness and a calm mind, we can work on counseling therapy and can change the condition of the suffering adult.
- Therapy includes changes in lifestyle, change in food habits also, try to socialize and share their views and emotions and how they feel with others.
Note!
Depression in old age is a very heavy burden emotionally on the person suffering & mental health is a very important aspect in the elderly. Hence, never ignore the signs & causes of depression in elderly while taking care of them.
