Warning Signs for Depression in Seniors

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

10 Oct 2008 03:32 PM

The signs of depression in senior citizens can be subtle -- especially if the person does not want to acknowledge that they have a problem. For today's older adults, an admission of a mental problem like depression often meant a trip to an institution for care. That would make me reluctant to speak up, for sure.

Knowing the warning signs of depression in seniors can help. Depression that comes late in life may not look like the depression seen in younger people.

• Watch for mood changes -- especially in the wake of a major life change like moving, losing a job, or loss of independence. A loss of physical ability can also lead to mood changes.
• Watch for grief that lasts for more than a year after the death of a close friend, family member, or spouse.
• Watch for insomnia, or other dramatic changes in sleep habits.
• Watch for irregular eating habits.
• Watch for anxiety and irritability.

If you notice three or more of the above symptoms in an older adult, it may be a good time to talk to a heath care professional.

You may have to talk around the issue and not bring up the dreaded d-word. Ask about the person's spirits, or mood, without directly asking if they're sad or depressed. Ask how they've been sleeping, and how their appetite is.

When we first suspected that my grandmother was suffering from depression, the changes had been pretty obvious to the family. Her sleep patterns changed dramatically -- basically, if she wasn't up and doing something, she would be sleeping. She's always been a bit cantankerous, but her irritability reached new heights.

But the biggest change in her personality came after a major life change -- when she could no longer drive due to poor vision. Losing her car and what she saw as her independence really was a huge emotional blow. In my opinion, that's where her struggle with depression began.

Other things to keep in mind:

• Depression can come with other physical ailments like asthma, arthritis, COPD, and other chronic health problems.
• Depression can come with cognitive problems like dementia and memory loss.
• Some medications can cause side effects that make depression more difficult to diagnose.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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