Depression and Aging
Depression is not a normal part of aging. However, depression in older persons is not widely recognized and often goes untreated.
Depression often occurs at the same time as other serious illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Because many older adults face these illnesses as well as personal losses, social and economic difficulties they may mistakenly conclude that depression is a normal consequence of these problems. Unfortunately, this is an attitude often shared by health care professionals as well.
There are many reasons why depression in older people is often missed or untreated. As a person ages, the signs of depression are much more varied than at younger ages. It can appear as increased tiredness, grumpiness, or irritability. Confusion or attention problems caused by depression can sometimes look like Alzheimer’s disease or other brain disorders. Mood changes and signs of depression can be caused by medicines older people may take for arthritis, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
These factors together contribute to the under-diagnosis, and under-treatment of depression in older people. Depression can and should be treated at any age, especially when it occurs with other illnesses. Untreated depression can delay recovery from, or worsen, the outcome of other illnesses. However, no matter what the circumstances, depression is a treatable condition that should not be ignored especially in older people.
Resource: select film “One Woman’s Experience with Depression”