Depression and Older Adults
by ALLAN GRILL CRC, MFTLife is a
series of adjustments to change. As
the years unfold, various events in later
life may lead to experiences of sadness and grief.
The Golden Years can become tarnished by
problems, and sometimes coping with life can seem overwhelming.
Older adults
are faced with a variety of
issues, including:
declining physical health, loss of
relationships, decreased financial security, and a decline in mobility
that
affects keeping up with familiar activities and involvement.
Feeling
depressed at times is a normal part
of life, especially when confronted with such issues.
But, sometimes depression can get the better
of us.
Depression
is a multi-faceted problem with
psychological, as
well as physical symptoms that affects persons of all ages. In older adults in particular, depression may
be related to some physical health problems that may require
consultation with
a medical practitioner to rule out physiological processes affecting
mood.
Depression
can affect your whole outlook on life, kind of like wearing
dark,
gray sunglasses that continually filter out any rays of brightness and
hope.
The simplest task becomes a burden, and resources that were once relied
upon
seem inadequate to help or are no longer there.
Some common signs of depression are:
feelings of hopelessness,
changes
in appetite, insomnia, early waking or sleeping too much, a lack of
energy,
difficulty initiating things that were once easier to do, a tendency to
isolate
oneself, irritability, difficulty concentrating.
Depression
is a thief.
It steals initiative and self-confidence and convinces its
victims of
its omnipotence. It tells you that you
have always felt this way and that you always will.
Depression can be cruel. It may
kick you when you are down, negatively
criticizing your attempts to be free of its influence.
It can be merciless and render its prey
senseless and without hope.
Despite its effects, there are some
strategies that
can be useful in winning the battle against depression.
Here are some suggestions:
*
Exercise
Even on a very limited basis, physical exercise helps.
*
Get fresh air
Believe it or not, something as simple as fresh air and sunlight is
very
helpful.
*
Try to maintain a routine
Set your alarm clock daily and stick to a schedule.
* Eat
wholesome food
This seems like common sense. Maintaining a healthy diet
is important.
*
Keep away from alcohol
Alcohol makes depression worse.
*
Reach out to friends and relatives
Maintaining contacts with others helps fight depression and isolation.
*
Discuss side-effects of medications
Be sure you discuss with your doctor what side effects you can expect
with any medication you are taking.
*
Join a support group or see a counselor
There are support groups available in many geographical areas.
Individual counseling may offer additional insight and support.
*
Do something special for
yourself
Something as simple as buying yourself a flower, eating your favorite
food taking a stroll in your favorite park can give some relief from
and helps fortify you to better deal with life problems.
*
Don’t dwell on the past
The past cannot be undone. Dwelling on the past does not help you
move forward.
*
Take action
Most importantly, take action. Do
things that feel good and restore your belief in your
abilities
You don’t have to fight against depression
and shoulder your
troubles alone. There may be times when
your own resources just aren’t enough.
At times like these the assistance of a mental health
professional might
be appropriate.
If you want extra support in unmasking and challenging depression, call me at (510) 232-1630 to discuss options.