Am I depressed? 

Depression in Older Adults

 

Everyone feels blue or sad now and then, but these feelings don't usually last long and pass within a couple of days. When a person has depression, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with depression and those who care about him or her. Doctors call this condition "depressive disorder," or "clinical depression."

 

What is depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

 

What are common symptoms of depression?

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

• Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism

• Irritability

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

• Decreased energy or fatigue

• Moving or talking more slowly

• Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

• Appetite and/or weight changes

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

 

What causes depression?

Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Important life changes that happen as we get older may cause feelings of uneasiness, stress, and sadness. For instance, the death of a loved one, moving from work into retirement, or dealing with a serious illness can leave people feeling sad or anxious. After a period of adjustment, many older adults can regain their emotional balance, but others do not and may develop depression.

 

Depression in older adults:

Depression is a common problem among older adults, but it is NOT a normal part of aging. In fact, studies show that most older adults feel satisfied with their lives, despite having more physical ailments. However, when older adults do suffer from depression, it may be overlooked because they may be less willing to talk about feelings of sadness or grief, or they may show different, less obvious symptoms, and doctors may be less likely to suspect or spot it. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish grief from major depression. Grief after loss of a loved one is a normal reaction to the loss and generally does not require professional mental health treatment. However, grief that lasts for a very long time following a loss may require treatment.

 

How to treat depression when you age?

Medications called antidepressants work to normalize brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, notably serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Scientists studying depression have found that these chemicals, and possibly others, are involved in regulating mood, but they are unsure of exactly how they work.

 

Several types of psychotherapy -- or "talk therapy" -- can help people with depression, especially the elderly. Some treatments are short-term, lasting 10 to 20 weeks, and others are longer, depending on the person's needs.

 

Support group is another way to help the elderly dealing with depression. Leaded by professional social workers, the support group in Joyful provides participants with a secure environment which allows them to ventilate emotions. All information shared in our group remains confidential. Participants will gradually develop emotional support network, learn coping skills and make friends from our group. Contact us to learn more.

 

Citation

About Depression. Retrieved from http://nihseniorhealth.gov/depression/aboutdepression/01.html

​

Psychological/Mental/Behavioral Services 

 

• Asian Pacific Family Center）“NOW” Program：For people over 60 years old who are in need for psychological/mental health services, with or without health insurance. Call：626-287-2988     Address：9353 E. Valley Blvd., Rosemead, CA 91770      Website：http://www.pacificclinics.org/

 

• Herald Family Center：Religion-based community services include individual counseling, family and couple therapy for all age groups in Chinese. Call：626-286-2600，Adress：715 E. Mission Road, San Gabriel, CA 91776

 

• Chinatown Service Center, Community Health Center，Behavioral Health Division: Call：213-808-1720,Address：320 S. Garfield Ave., Suite 202, Alhambra, CA 91801