Factors that cause depression in old age you need to know

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Boredom is a normal part of life, but if these feelings persist for weeks or months, you may be suffering from depression. Many people think that as you get older, you are more prone to depression, however, according to studies, depression is not part of the natural aging process. So what causes old age depression?

1. What is depression?

To understand the causes of depression in the elderly, let's find out what depression is. Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects the way you feel, act, and think. Depression is a common problem in older adults, but clinical depression is not a natural part of the aging process. In fact, studies show that most older adults feel satisfied with their lives, even though older people often face more illnesses or physical problems than younger people. People who experienced depression as a child may be more susceptible to depression as an adult.
There are different types of depression in the elderly, specifically, according to the National Institute of Mental Health of the United States, older adults can suffer from the following types of depression:
Major depression: depressive symptoms severe enough important to interfere with work, sleep, study, appetite and interest in work. Each person may experience one or more episodes of major depression, which may be related to psychosis. Mild depression (Dysthymia): mild, or persistent depression that can last for two years or more. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Depressive symptoms are more common during certain seasons, most commonly the fall and winter months.

2. How do you know you are suffering from depression in the elderly?

Signs of depression are the same at all ages. However, the views of the elderly may be different. Specifically, instead of feeling sad, heavy pressure like in young people, in the elderly often recorded different manifestations such as:
Cognitive problems appear; Reduced interest in activities; Inability to concentrate ; Persistent pain; Digestive problems; Although, like young people, suicidal ideation is also present in older people. But if young people will suffer from depression that will often hurt themselves, senile depression makes patients wish they didn't have to wake up every morning or become conflicted about their lives and existence.

3. What causes depression in the elderly?

There are many causes as risk factors for depression. According to statistics, depression in the elderly occurs more often in women than in men, perhaps due to family and work pressure. Research has shown that there are factors that are linked to depression risk, but not necessarily to depression:
Changes in the brain that are responsible for depression in old age, as you get older, save Blood flow is restricted, blood vessels stiffen and blood flow to the brain is reduced over time. The resulting decline in blood vessel function increases the risk of other vascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. People with medical conditions that affect mobility and reduce quality of life such as: heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, disability or have a new illness,... People with a history of depression in childhood or a family history of depression; Stress, prolonged pressure; Sleep disorders ; Alcoholism, associated with substance-induced depression; Lack of movement and exercise; Experiencing loss, life events such as the death of a loved one or having to take care of a loved one with a serious illness, disability, etc. Use of certain drugs to treat chronic diseases such as anti-inflammatory drugs blood pressure ( Calcium channel blockers , Beta blockers ); lipid-lowering drugs (Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor); sleeping pills ; corticosteroids;... However, some older people may experience depression for no apparent reason.

4. What to do if you have old age depression?

Depression is a serious, however, treatable condition. Specific treatment methods such as psychological counseling, medication use, etc. can help depression condition to improve. Some advice for people with senile depression are:
Try to reach out and stay connected: Usually when depressed, the patient will not want to do anything or see anyone, however, isolation only makes the condition worse. Therefore, if an older member of a family has depression, members should connect with them, care about them, and limit the time they have to be alone. Going out into the world, going to the park, getting your hair done, going out to lunch or visiting will help relieve anxiety in depressed people. You can also sign up for classes, clubs to meet old friends to exchange and share together. Strive to find purpose and purpose in life: to get over depression and prevent it from coming back, it's important to find a strong purpose and ideal of life. As you get older, retirement, loss of friends, relatives, ... make you feel depressed and easily lead to depression. Therefore, finding a job that you like, participating in social activities will help the elderly to improve their depression. Building positive habits, spending time traveling, sunbathing, being physically active, etc. also helps to improve depression in the elderly. In some cases, depression in the elderly requires medication, but fortunately it is treatable. If you know someone who is struggling with senile depression, advise them to seek medical advice and treatment to improve their quality of life.
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References: webmd.com, health.clevelandclinic.org, nia.nih.gov, webmd.com