Sometimes friends and family members recognize that someone who seems sad may be battling depression, but depression can look very different at different ages. So different, that some seniors may not get the support and medical attention they need because no one realizes what is really wrong.
“Depression has many different faces. It’s not a one-size-fits-all illness,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover CEO and President. ”A big problem for older adults is recognizing what depression may look like at different ages, especially for their age range. Older adults often believe that if they aren’t feeling sad, they aren’t depressed. The truth is older adults who are suffering from depression may not feel sad. Frequently the warning sign they most need to recognize is apathy. Sadness may be there, too, but sadness may seem overshadowed by feeling lifeless and empty inside.”
According to HelpGuide.org, depression is often expressed differently according to one’s age, sex, and culture:
- Depression in teens. Depression in teenagers can look different than it does in adults. Irritability—rather than depression—is frequently the predominant mood. A depressed adolescent may be hostile, grumpy, or easily lose his or her temper. Unexplained aches and pains are also common symptoms of depression in children and teens.
- Depression in older adults. The difficult changes that many older adults face—such as bereavement, loss of independence, and health problems—can lead to depression, especially in those without a strong support system. However, depression is not a normal part of aging. Older adults tend to complain more about the physical rather than the emotional signs and symptoms of depression, and so their mood disorder often goes unrecognized. But depression in the elderly is associated with poor health, a high mortality rate, and an increased risk of suicide, so diagnosis and treatment are extremely important.
- Depression in Women. Rates of depression in women are twice as high as they are in men. This is due in part to hormonal factors, particularly when it comes to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression. As for signs and symptoms, women are more likely than men to experience pronounced feelings of guilt, sleep excessively, overeat, and gain weight. Women are also more likely to suffer from seasonal affective disorder.
- Depression in Men. Depressed men are less likely than women to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. Instead, they tend to complain about fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and loss of interest in work and hobbies. Other signs and symptoms of depression in men include anger, aggression and violence, reckless behavior, and substance abuse. Men may also try to cope with their depression by throwing themselves into their work.
When depression is left undiagnosed and untreated, its impact can cause significant setbacks for people of all ages. For older adults, depression can complicate other physical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.
Psychiatrist Dr. Teresa Walker, ReDiscover Medical Director of Senior Services, said, “Like arthritis or heart disease, depression is a separate chronic illness. Getting a diagnosis and proper treatment is only the beginning of the challenge. Older adults with risk factors for heart attack and stroke need to be closely monitored for signs of depression. Conditions such as heart attack, stroke, hip fracture, and bypass surgery can all play a part in the development of depression. It’s important to understand that depression can be triggered by certain prescription drugs. It’s also important to realize that risks for depression can increase if physical recovery is taking more time than expected or if hospital stays are disappointedly frequent or if discharges are delayed.”
Sometimes even the people who are suffering from depression don’t recognize the specific symptoms or take their condition seriously enough. Some warning signs of depression in older adults may be blamed on old age or other health problems when they are likely linked to depression. Those symptoms can include:
- Constant complaints that seem vague or unfounded
- Frequent phone calls or conversations that seem out of character
- Demanding behavior
- Complaints about lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
- inability to enjoy activities that are still possible to do and used to bring pleasure, but don’t anymore
- withdrawal from friends and family
- irritability, anger, or anxiety
- loss of appetite, inability to sleep
Help is Available. ReDiscover provides support and treatment to older adults with depression in Jackson County, including Lee’s Summit, Grandview, Raytown and South Kansas City.
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