info &resources
mental health conditions
“Depression amongst older adults”
by Laura, family member
My name is Laura and I recently produced a guide on depression amongst older people and wanted to share it.
As the National Institute of Mental Health says, depression is common amongst older people, but it is not a normal part of ageing.
For the last few years I’ve helped my parents through bouts of depression and have seen first hand how it is too often, ignored by doctors.
Five years ago, my mother spiraled into a deep depression.
At first, her symptoms were subtle, she seemed disinterested in her grandchildren and was always worn out or irritable. My husband and I just thought it was her finally surrendering to old age.
However, after a year of gradually getting worse, it became clear she may have depression. She seemed to have lost her zest for life, wasn’t sleeping or was in bed for days at a time, and wasn’t eating.
After consulting a doctor myself, he recommended going on regular walks as exercise can help and to encourage her to eat a balanced diet. Luckily, she agreed, wanting to stay active, as she had all her life, and her symptoms subsided a bit and she seemed to be on the mend.
However, after having to take up more hours at work to pay the bills, I could no longer take her on these walks that’d helped her so much and she soon deteriorated and became worse than ever. She was constantly tearful or lost in thought and I feared it might even be dementia.
Finally, my mother agreed to see her doctor and he prescribed her antidepressants and therapy, so she could talk to someone impartial and learn to deal with the hopelessness that left her confused and sad. Now, she still has ups and downs, but mostly ups.
Here is the guide I have helped to make: www.psychguides.com/guides/living-with-depression-in-older-adults/
I hope you review the guide and it provides you with a useful resource for those of you caring for an elder loved one.
Regards,
Laura