Depression is a mental illness that affects many older people. Depression in older adults, also called geriatric depression, can occur out-of-the-blue. Depression is a medical condition, which affects the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Societal stigma and misunderstandings continually affect detection, treatment and prevention of depression, especially in older adults. When depression is treated eighty to ninety percent of cases fully or partially improve.

Older adults and seniors can face life-altering changes in their later years that can raise stress levels and lower quality of life. Such life-altering changes can include medical conditions or physical injuries that limit mobility, change living arrangements such as entering an assisted living facility or nursing home, diminished personal resources and finances, and lack of social interaction.

All these factors can contribute to depression.  Fortunately, depression is highly treatable and eighty to ninety percent of cases receive complete or partial improvement. Geriatric depression is just like depression in adults, teens and children. It is a more than a sad or low feeling; it is a persistent lack of happiness or joy that affects a person’s entire life.

In seniors depression can sometimes be mistaken for the onset of dementia so medical diagnose is critical. Family members should be aware of warning signs for depression in older adults since many seniors will ignore or be unaware of their symptoms:

• Sad or “blue” most of the time
• Withdrawals from pleasurable activities or hobbies
• Worries about memory
• Withdrawals from family and friends
• Experienced a personal loss in the last six months
• Impaired concentration
• Finds it difficult to make decisions
• General dissatisfaction in life
• Irritable
• Change in sleeping patters
• Preoccupation with aches and pains or medical conditions
• Weight changes not due to physical ailments
• Depressive, gloomy, desolate dreams
• Thoughts of suicide

Displaying one of these symptoms doesn’t signal depression, but a person suffering from several symptoms should seek medical advice. Anyone expressing suicide as an option should receive immediately medical care.

Also some factors in an aging person’s life can lead people to assume they have depression or are suffering from dementia. Some medications can cause hormonal and physical changes that mimic depression symptoms including beta-blockers, methyldopa, thiazide diuretics, cimetidine, ranitidine, benzodiazepines, anti-cancer drugs and hormones. Alcoholism in seniors can show the same symptoms as depression. Chronic undiagnosed illnesses like strokes, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, pain and cardiovascular disease can cause symptoms that can be misconstrued as depression as well. Plus, social isolation from friends, family and relations can cause many symptoms of depression and even tip the balance towards depression. All these reasons are why you should seek a medical diagnosis if you think you or someone you know might be suffering from depression.

Remember it isn’t normal to feel depressed all the time when you get older. Most older people feel satisfaction with their lives and look forward to the future.

To learn more about depression in seniors and older adults call Border Area Mental Health Services. To reach Border Area Mental Health Services in Grant and Hidalgo Counties, call 388-4412; in Catron County, call 533-6649; in Luna County, call 546-2174.  For CRISIS, call 538-3488 or outside Silver City, call 1-800-426-0997.