Depression in the elderly

June 15, 2011

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In the European study found that the prevalence of depression   in the elderly is approximately 12%. And the women of this amount account for 14% and 9% of men. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 40-45% of elderly patients who went to a doctor with a variety of diseases, have pronounced symptoms of depression in the elderly.

Causes of depression in the elderly

The main reason for the development of the doldrums is a rejection of the situation of their own aging. In connection with the general aging of the body is constantly increasing physical frailty, difficulty in self-service. Due to the fact that with age, impaired vision and hearing have difficulty in communicating with other people, he becomes lonely, left alone with their problems and ideas. In addition to the above listed, old age, even - it is not only the acquisition of baggage, but also a large number of casualties. This may be due to the loss of a loved one's death or serious illness spouse, separation from children, retirement, loss of job, loss of a certain social status.

From all this it is possible to identify certain factors in connection with which there is a depression in the elderly. These factors are:

• loneliness is exacerbated if there is a loss of a loved one;
• shortage or lack of social support;
• the presence of stressful situations in life.

They also include all heavy heart disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, cancer, diabetes and dementia . Along with this, it can be added:

• uncontrolled intake of certain drugs, or a combination thereof;
• external physiological defects, such as: amputation   a limb, an operation to remove a tumor or stroke   with visible consequences);
• a genetic predisposition to depressive state;
• the fear of death;
• increased anxiety;
• life in seclusion, partial or complete isolation from society;
• various diseases;
• suicidal tendencies in the past;
• severe pain of a chronic nature;
• bouts of depression in the past;
• the recent loss of loved ones;
• alcoholism or substance abuse.

When scanning the brain of older people who are sick depressive disorder, seen a number of dark spots. It speaks about the deterioration of blood flow, blood in this area of ​​the brain just does not get it. Consequently, the chemical reactions which increase the chances of depression, regardless of whether there is life stress or not.

Symptoms of depression in the elderly and its development.

The development of depression does not occur immediately, rather slowly. First appears and gradually develops general depression associated with baseless and exaggerated fears for his health. A person experiencing an increased concern for loved ones, their status, material well-being. An elderly man is constantly thinking in the past, it regrets about missed opportunities. He thinks about his inconsistency and, at this moment of his life he does not need anyone. The consciousness of an old man swallowed the inner workings of the body, he thinks that he has the worst disease in the world, but no one believes him. All the world becomes unimportant for him, it is no longer interested in almost everything.

Symptoms of depression in the elderly occurs when a person stops completely read, sits on a series or TV talk show, which tells the complex story of life is sympathy. Man equates himself to the heroes of such programs. If someone tries to take an interest in such a man to support his or soothe, for him it seems insincere, stupid, empty. Quite often, such efforts produce the opposite effect.

The man himself does not notice its doldrums, it seems his mood natural and ordinary. All proposals for the provision of psychological assistance are rejected, as well, is rejected and antidepressants. Relatives of the elderly person are often surprised to find that such a state of their loved one is regarded as a depressive disorder. As a result of this relationship, patients may not receive the necessary treatment, they are trying to cope with the disease, although it is easy to the medical treatment.

Depression in the elderly is often lasts much longer than in younger people. This greatly increases the chances of getting a heart attack, and even rapid death from chronic diseases. Depression in the elderly person to reduce the possibility of rehabilitation.

According to the statistics, all the elderly people who are in need of professional medical care, in the presence of a depressive state, the potential suicide bombers. Especially increases the mortality rate among patients who underwent myocardial infarction . Therefore, for the loved ones and relatives of the sick person is important to ensure full effective treatment.

Doldrums in the elderly occurs on a background of anxiety and anguish. Their experiences are filled with vague apprehension, excitement, expectation of every misfortune. The level of anxiety is constantly growing. Especially strongly manifested symptoms of depression in the elderly in the evening or at night is usually negative experiences. People suffering from depression due, grumbling something sentence, groaning and sometimes sobbing.

They looked around helplessly and aimlessly wander around the room, constantly rearranging some things, or anything themselves taking. Disturbingly dreary state of the combination of a slow pulling speech slackness   and sedentary. Sometimes people like freezes in place, falling into the autistic condition, he never sees and hears.

Complications of depression in the elderly

Doldrums men often leads to suicide attempts. Most suicides occur in the age of 80-84 years. According to the National Institutes of Health, depression in the elderly - it is one of the most serious diseases that are prevalent in today's society.

When depressed person loses sleep at this time of sleep becomes intermittent. In the morning comes early awakening coupled with poor health. Although there is a myth about the duration of sleep of older people. People need to sleep as much as slept at a young age, and even more. To date, Insomnia is one of the symptoms of depression. Insomnia can lead to the emergence and re-emergence of complications of depression in old age.

Quite often in the late depressed people complain of poor memory, loss of concentration, disorientation . But these violations are not a measure of dementia. They are reversible. An elderly man is one hundred percent convinced of the hopelessness of their situation. He thinks that this state will last indefinitely, that his life is unchangeable, it has never been better, and will never get better. In the life of a person with a depressive state is no joy in life, nothing is fun. For such people typically complain of a feeling of emptiness in the soul and life, the futility of his past life and present day. Most of the day they spend in bed, no wonder what is happening around them indifferent, sometimes fall and cease to follow the personal hygiene. Such patients are often told that they torture their relatives that everything will only get better if it will not.

Treatment of Depression in the elderly

In medicine and psychology, there are several treatments for depression in older people. This drug treatment And psychotherapy And electroconvulsive therapy . If during the depression occurs in severe form, it is appropriate to mix and merge all treatments. As a means to alleviate symptoms using drugs for insomnia. For the treatment of insomnia, there are latest hypnotics that are safe for the elderly. If these drugs do not lead to the desired result, a psychologist may recommend concomitant use of sedatives with a visit to psychotherapy.

Usually, antidepressants   help to alleviate the symptoms of depression in the elderly. Most antidepressants have a positive result in the treatment of depression. But the appointment of these drugs should be aware that there are side effects and incompatibilities with other medical drugs. In adulthood, antidepressants take effect much later.

Psychotherapy for depression.   A large number of patients confirm that the active support of family and friends, participation in self-help, support groups, psychotherapy, give good results. The most effective method of psychotherapy when the person refuses admission of drugs.

The method of electroshock therapy.   This method plays an important role in medicine and treatment of depression in the elderly this confirmation. When suffering from depression can not take medication because of their rejection, an alternative method of treatment, bringing effective results can be electroshock therapy. Important in the treatment of depression - is a timely diagnosis of the human condition and the choice of effective methods.