By Michael Russell
A lot of people may say that they feel "depressed". Feeling sad or upset is normal for a certain amount of time when we have lost someone or something we love. However, when this feeling of being "down in the dumps" or having "lost your drive" extends over a longer period, seems to happen all the time and if you can't pinpoint exactly what the cause is, it could be depression. Depression starts with the being lethargic and you begin to lose interest in almost everything you do. This is far from normal. This is no longer just something that is "in your head" but already a serious medical condition that should be diagnosed and treated.
Depression may occur at any age, but it is very common in the older population. Depression most often goes unnoticed because the elders themselves and those who are in contact with them think that it is just a normal part of the aging process. This notion is wrong and should be corrected. If depression in the elderly is not treated, it could lead to dire consequences such as poor quality of life or suicide. Depression in people over 65 years old happens more often in developed countries. This is because in some countries, the elderly have a high place in society and are valued for their wisdom. In the developed countries however, the culture is so fast-paced and youth-centered that the elders are left behind. Seniors in these countries often feel left out, irrelevant and worthless, thus causing depression in almost 6 million in America alone.
Depression greatly affects the quality of life of the elderly. It is a known fact that the hope of getting better has a tremendous effect on the recovery or peaceful death of an elderly person. If they loses
this 'hope' and becomes depressed, the likelihood of delayed recovery or death due to the physical illness is increased. Healthcare costs tend to double with individuals suffering from untreated depression as compared to those without it for many reasons. Depressed seniors who are untreated have difficulty following the necessary treatment regimen or participating in their rehabilitation program. Also, they tend to rate their health as poor, resulting in more trips to the emergency room and visits to the doctor's clinic. Lastly, the risk of abusing prescription drugs or alcohol is higher in the depressed elderly.
What all people over 65 years old and their families and caregivers should know is that depression can be and should be treated primarily to prevent suicide and improve the quality of life. When a person reaches a certain age, time starts to take its toll on the body, his health takes a turn for the worse and he has difficulty adjusting to new life situations leaving him feeling lonely, isolated and worthless. All these could send anyone to the edge. If that person is also deprived of the needed emotional and psychological support from those around him, this pushes him off the edge. This is why the suicide rate of the elderly in the United States alone is six times the national average. This is also the reason why depression has been labeled as a major public health problem.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Depression
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