How to deal with blues in retirement age. Depression in the elderly: why they occur, symptoms, treatment methods

From this article you will learn:

Why depression occurs in older people and what are the risk factors

How is depression in the elderly different from dementia?

How to Diagnose and Treat Depression in the Elderly

What are the consequences of depression in the elderly?

Old people... Always dissatisfied, grumbling, you can't please them. Familiar? But few people realize that our relatives just need help. Depression in the elderly is not a state of everyday life, but a mental illness, and the most common today. One thing pleases: it can be defeated, it will retreat with proper treatment. What to do so that depression does not affect you or your elderly relatives or friends? What to do if there are signs of this disease? Could what we are seeing be depression? We hope our article will help you get an elderly person out of this state.

Why depression occurs in older people

“Not my day”, “black streak”, “it didn’t work out in the morning” ... There are many more excuses for the upcoming depression. So psychologists began to call a long state of mind of gloomy hopelessness. This mental disorder is manifested in the loss of an adequate perception of reality. Everything seems dreary, the mood is at zero. What used to make me happy is now annoying. They pushed away their beloved dog, were rude to friends, they don’t want to move, everything is in black colors, pessimistic thoughts arise, crossword puzzles, embroidery, violets on the window are abandoned, self-esteem is reduced so much that one can only feel sorry for oneself. Some try to find solace in alcohol or other psychotropic substances.

What is the cause of depression in adulthood? What pushes a person towards it?

Let's start with the fact that older people react very painfully to everything. But this is not harmful, as many people think. What in youth caused mild annoyance, in adulthood can provoke depression and nervous breakdown. Stress, severe fatigue, situations that cause various breakdowns greatly deplete the reserves of all body systems. He hardly adapts to stimuli. An elderly person does not hear well, he has to constantly ask again, in a conversation half of the words pass him by. Finally, he begins to avoid communication, withdraws into himself.

How will you feel if something constantly hurts, worries? Not fun, right? People of mature age, unfortunately, accumulate a lot of somatic pathologies. When referring to a doctor, an elderly person often hears: “What do you want? Age!". Diseases, poor health, the attitude of doctors and others - all this can trigger the mechanism of depression. There are also pathologies in which older people are at increased risk. These are diseases of the cerebral vessels, diabetes mellitus, abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland, arterial hypertension.

Many people are waiting for the approaching retirement age with fear, but they are not afraid of physical weakness and illness. They are afraid of social isolation, because at the end of their work their usual way of life changes dramatically, there is a feeling of unsuitability, loss. As if you fell out of a fast train at full speed and remained standing on an empty platform, watching the disappearing bright noisy train with your eyes. Diseases seemed to be waiting, they immediately appeared. Here, depression can overtake those who spent most of their lives at work, pursued a career, and most often men. Elderly women adapt more easily to a new free status, finding themselves in country cares, next to their grandchildren, and traveling.

Another problem of people of mature age is loneliness. Only recently, in the evenings, it was noisy and crowded in your place: work problems were discussed, children demanded care and attention, plans were made for the weekend with friends. But now the house is empty, the children who have grown up have their own families, interests, no one is waiting at work. Friends, also elderly people, are busy with their illnesses, they remind of themselves less and less, and someone is no longer there at all. The circle of communication is narrowing, loneliness with unhappy thoughts is approaching. Older women endure this condition more difficult, since it is they who are the center of the universe called "Family". Single women who are divorced or widowed suffer from emotional emptiness.

How tempting it is to cure ailments with one pill! This view also exists in the treatment of depressive conditions. It became sad - take the medicine, and now you are cheerful and full of strength. Such a dismissively easy solution to problems with depression only strengthens the disease. Taking medications, even on the recommendation of a doctor, can cause the next wave of frustration. And even more dangerous is the use of antidepressants on the advice of grandmothers at the entrance or a neighbor in the country. Severe cases are known in the treatment of antihypertensive drugs (dicogsin, methyldopa, beta-blockers), corticosteroids (prednisolone), analgesics, hypnotics.

Depression in the elderly: who is at risk first

Who is not at risk of depression, and which of the people of mature age should think about:

Elderly women. Men turned out to be stronger, more resistant to depressive disorders.

Lonely people, because they sorely lack the attention of others, the care of loved ones.

Alcohol abusers or drug abusers.

People who have suffered a serious illness or stressful situations, for example, a change of residence (they moved an old mother to the city, who worked all her life in the countryside), who have lost relatives and friends.

Having suicidal attempts.

Sick elderly people. The focus is on hypertension, heart attack, diabetes. Such patients should be given special attention.

Those whose relatives suffered from depression of a different nature, or they themselves struggled with this disorder in the past.

Older people with disabilities who have some visible defect.

If you find the presence of at least one sign, then this is already a reason to think. If there are several of them, it is necessary to act so that your elderly relatives are not left without attention and care, alone in front of a terrible disease.

How is depression in the elderly different from dementia?

Externally, depression and dementia are very similar conditions, the main difference of which is that the first disease is reversible and therefore requires treatment. However, they can and should be identified. Let's start with depression. It can affect memory, which is why an elderly person becomes distracted, lost in space.

Dementia (dementia) is a serious disease that affects the brain. By saying "of sound mind and solid memory", we emphasize that it is absent. Indeed, for an elderly person it is important that with age speech, attention, the ability to accumulate, preserve and reproduce existing knowledge and skills remain at the same level. Otherwise, his life will become very complicated: his habits will change (what he used to like will cause disgust), a restrained character will become quick-tempered. Such people hardly serve themselves, very often fall into depressive states.

Below is a table that gives a clear idea of the similarities and differences between dementia and depression (L. J. Cohen, 1999).

Mental state parameters for which comparison occurs in parallel	Depression	dementia
Affect (intense and short-term explosion of emotions)	Depressive (withdrawal). Deepening, soul-searching, escape from reality. Pronounced subjective distress (destructive effect on the body).	With a violent display. Labile, losing nuance (reacts sharply to both positive and negative stimuli). Lack of concern for one's condition (a person does not care who he is and what he is).
	Fast, stormy. Can be accurately defined, contrasting. History of depression and other mental disorders (controlled).	Gradual, growing. The time estimate is not defined, it passes from one state to another. The disorder was noted for the first time.
	Short, repetitive. Rapid development of symptoms after the first case.	Prolonged, gradual. Slow development with regression.
Behavior	Indifferent, does not respond to stimuli. Absolute passivity, so any action requires effort. Indifference to lapses in memory. Rejection and loss of social contacts. Strengthening of seizures in the evening and at night is not typical. No loss of cognitive function (memory, attention).	With a predominance of distractibility, preoccupation, wandering in the clouds. Fussiness, aimless performance of an action. He compensates for his lack of memory with notes. Social contacts are preserved, but with changes. Attacks often intensify in the evening and at night. Behavior is comparable to the severity of cognitive dysfunction (memory loss, mental weakness).
	There are complaints of cognitive disorders	Complaints of cognitive disorders are often absent

Depression in the elderly and its types

If we are talking about congenital or acquired defects of the nervous system, then this organic depression.

If the disorders are caused by traumatic events (problems at home, worries at work, loss of a loved one), then we are talking about psychogenic depressions.

If depression is found in elderly people with diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, organs of vision, oncology, then it will undoubtedly be somatogenic character. Especially often this type of mental disorder manifests itself in medical institutions with a long stay.

Hereditary predisposition, internal pathogenic factors, with increased exposure to external circumstances, give endogenous affective deviations ( bipolar and unipolar depressive disorders).

Long-term use of certain drugs can lead to iatrogenic depression. There are opponents and supporters of this theory. In the same vein, we can talk about the reactions of the body to careless medical conclusions.

Depression in the elderly and its symptoms

Depression in the elderly is characterized by symptoms. Patients aged do not give out emotional manifestations, more often they are closed, closed. Older people are more concerned about the physical condition, for example, the fear of developing such a disorder as Alzheimer's disease.

Negative emotions, of course, do not disappear anywhere, but they look natural due to the lack of support and care of loved ones, disappointment in people, etc.

Let's try to understand the fears that are the main signs of approaching depression in the elderly:

The difference between the depression of a young person and an elderly person is that the latter lives in the past. If a void has formed around, then it is filled, most often, with negative memories, turning into a mental disorder that torments and torments the patient. A person replays a difficult situation again and again, returning and multiplying anxiety and anxiety.

Anxiety is an essential component of depression in the elderly. Comparing the results of studies, scientists confirmed this assumption. In the group of young people (up to 35 years old), only a third of the respondents noted anxiety, and in the group of patients over 55 years old, 70% already confirmed the presence of anxiety, fears, and painful forebodings.

It would seem that meeting with the sun, the morning hours give joy, but in the case of depression, the opposite is true. The state of depression in elderly patients is especially noticeable in the morning and subsides in the late afternoon.

Depressive patients are characterized by slowness of movement and inhibited thinking. They are focused on themselves, on their inner feelings. It seems that these people are exploring their body from the inside, trying to find out the problem of the origin of this or that pain.

Indifference to the outside world with a change to bouts of dreary detachment are clear symptoms of a deep degree of depression.

What are the symptoms of depression in the elderly?

What should alert us, what should we pay attention to?

Everything is bad for a depressed elderly person: prices are rising, cars only strive to splash mud, the rain is wet, the sun is hot. Constant criticism, irritation, dissatisfaction with yourself, with you, apathy - the patient will explain all these changes in mood reasonably, but will not even let the thought of a possible pathology of his nervous system come close.

Going anywhere, doing something is problematic for an elderly person. A routine scheduled visit to the hospital causes a storm of indignation in a patient with signs of depression. Another symptom is a decrease in activity, a break in social contacts.

Gets up at night, wanders, reads magazines, falls asleep in the morning, broken all day. There is no appetite, even your favorite crispy buns do not cause delight. Sleep disturbance and loss of appetite in an elderly person is the third sign of incipient depression.

He hardly remembers why he has a pencil with a notepad in his hand, why he took a calendar, does not go to the store without a list of two products. Of course, this can happen to anyone, and perhaps an older person only has senile dementia, but it is also a symptom of a mental disorder.

During depression, older people most often complain of feeling unwell. About 90% of all patients found signs of deterioration in health.

Even from a closet full of things, you will not be able to throw out a single torn sock. You will hear that you are taking away the most necessary things from an old sick person, leaving him in poverty. The acquisition of new useful things also causes resentment and indignation: why buy an electric kettle if you can do just fine with a jar with a boiler? Pathological hoarding is another sign of depression in the elderly. But do not confuse it with reasonable thrift.

They opened the window - you want to catch a cold, they closed it - they made stuffiness, they asked how to do it - they hung everything on him, they didn’t ask - no one was interested in his opinion. This is not harmfulness or a test of your nerves. This is a conversation, attracting attention, the opportunity to spend more time with you. Accusations from an elderly person against their loved ones is a rather acute, conflicting problem. Here you need to be patient, because it is not known how depression will deal with you, and how indulgent your relatives will be.

How is depression diagnosed in the elderly?

Reading these lines, many older people will confidently say: “This is not my case” - and they will be right. Diagnosing depression is very difficult. It arises and disappears again. Doctors cannot determine the presence of this disease by analysis, they will only show the physical condition of your body. Therefore, to diagnose depression in the elderly, a simple, but at the same time effective method is used - a conversation, a conversation.

The specialist determines the presence of pathology by several methods:

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Beck scale.

For self-assessment, you can use the Tsung scale. The tables according to this technique are filled in by the patient himself, which confirms the accuracy and subjectivity of the results. An elderly person with signs of depression needs to honestly answer questions about the frequency of anxiety, obsessive heavy thoughts, appearance, favorite activities. These are simple multiple-choice questions, the sum of which gives an explanation of the condition.

If the severity of the disease requires treatment and observation, doctors use the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Manntgomery-Asberg Scale (MADRS).

Depression in the elderly - treatment is possible!

Relief of the course of the disease in a patient with depression and direct therapy is a rather complex process. Why? Because an elderly patient rarely agrees to the recognition of his diagnosis, but if the pathology is not treated, it will break a person both morally and physically. As a rule, older people are afraid of being considered abnormal, of being isolated. Success is possible if a trusting relationship has been established with the doctor, and the patient longs for recovery and is ready to follow all the doctor's instructions for this. Treatment consists of three components: changing your lifestyle to a healthy one, medications, work with a psychotherapist. Many add here also folk methods. More on all this below.

Treatment with folk methods

Some trust natural herbs, infusions, decoctions more than synthesized drugs. Of course, folk remedies do not give side effects, are not addictive, but before using them, you should definitely consult a doctor. This is very important in the treatment of elderly patients.

Here most popular recipes:

St. John's wort for depression

St. John's wort is an excellent natural antidepressant. We insist on alcohol (250 ml) 20 grams of St. John's wort and the same amount of dried oregano. Add coriander seeds and thyme. After two weeks, we take out the tincture from a dark, cool place and filter. We begin to take a drop a day, gradually bringing the dose to a teaspoon, drinking water.

Soothing infusion of mint and lemon balm

You need to mix two types of herbs. Then you need to take a tablespoon of their mixture and pour a glass of boiling water. Let cool, insist. We drink the resulting broth in the morning, afternoon and evening, dividing this glass into three parts.

motherwort and valerian

These folk remedies are considered leaders in relieving nervous tension. Motherwort and valerian are sold in every pharmacy. The dosage is indicated on the package.

St. John's wort, rosemary, lemon balm and blueberry

Four types of grass are taken in equal parts. One tablespoon of this mixture is poured with boiling water and brewed for half an hour in a glass. After that, the infusion is drunk with honey, like tea.

In addition, decoctions of chamomile, fennel flowers, anise, and lavender give a good calming effect. They can also be bought at a pharmacy. Brew and drink like tea.

Medications for depression in the elderly

It’s great if depression has receded after using folk remedies, but sometimes the use of medications is required. Here at your service modern complexes of antidepressants. These are long-familiar tricyclic and tetracyclic drugs. Improved antidepressants have also appeared on the market, taking into account the blocking of side effects - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and reversible MAO-A inhibitors.

Effective drugs help to overcome the disease, but when prescribing them, it is worth taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient. The correct dosage, compatibility with other dosage forms - this is more than important in the treatment of an elderly person.

The most popular antidepressants for the elderly today are:

Atarax. This antidepressant is good because it is not addictive and addictive. It works with anxiety disorders that occur against the background of neurological and mental diseases. Supports the functioning of the nervous system.

Leviron. One of the safest drugs for elderly patients. Why? Because it provides a pronounced sedative effect. Can be used for all types of depression.

Melipramine prescribed to increase the mental and general tone of the body, physical activity and mood. Indications are depression, accompanied by apathy, melancholy, sleep and appetite disorders.

Cipramil suitable for use in the presence of concomitant somatic diseases, suitable for long-term use, has sedative and antidepressant effects.

But that is not all. Sometimes doctors prescribe nootropics, antihypertensives and antispasmodics that block panic attacks and unreasonable excitement.

Another fact confirming the need for therapy under the supervision of a doctor is that, for safety reasons and out of habit, elderly patients often take Corvalol or Valocordin before going to bed, which cannot be done. These drugs not only interfere with the action of antidepressants, but can also provoke a deterioration in well-being.

Psychotherapy

Only in films do we see how a psychotherapist accepts a patient and helps him out of the crisis. In real life, older people are categorically against such methods of treatment, but, having yielded to the persuasion of their relatives, many of them are convinced of the effectiveness of the practical help of a specialist. The consequences of depression are successfully corrected in the whole complex of cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal and family psychotherapy for elderly patients.

Electroshock therapy

What to do when time is lost and neither medicines nor a psychotherapist help anymore? Depression destroys an elderly person, there is a threat to life, have there been suicide attempts? Electroconvulsive therapy, otherwise known as electroconvulsive therapy, is a method of psychiatric and neurological therapy in which, in order to achieve a therapeutic effect, an electric current is passed through the patient's brain, which causes a convulsive seizure.

Electroshock therapy for the treatment of nervous disorders has been around for a long time. She has been saving the lives of elderly patients with severe depression for more than 70 years. This method of stress biological impact remains among the most relevant means and is a worthy alternative to psychopharmacotherapy.

How to help an older person get out of depression

Only the comfort and warmth of a home will help an elderly person overcome the disease. The attention of the whole family and guardianship, words of gratitude and praise for help in housekeeping are invaluable in the treatment of this serious illness. The patient must constantly feel the care and support of adult children and grandchildren, his importance and necessity for people dear to him. Old age can be a joyful period in a person's life, if he sees his significance, feels love from relatives.

Older people need constant encouragement. There is nothing warmer than such words: “You did a difficult exercise today!”, “What a beautiful embroidery!”, “Can I sit next to you and look?”, “How does this blouse suit you, you look 10 years younger!”. A sincere interest in their past has a very beneficial effect on patients. You will discover many amazing facts from the history of your family. Ask the elderly person to tell about his relatives, childhood, places where he lived in his youth, about past work, interests. You will be amazed at what an amazing, heroic and at the same time humble person lives in the next apartment. Your admiring look, your interest can work a miracle. It is very good to look together at old photographs of the places where a person was born, lived, worked, especially those in which he is depicted in strength, performing socially significant work. This always contributes to self-esteem. At the same time, older people must definitely feel your interest.

Depression in the elderly and its consequences

Not treating depression in the elderly is contributing to disaster. This pathology significantly shortens the life of the patient and can lead to a heart attack, coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. Depression can trigger type II diabetes. Such patients poorly comply with the treatment regimen of the underlying disease, do not go into close contact with the doctor. Older people are not happy about the new day, they are increasingly visited by thoughts about the end of their lives, it is difficult for them to concentrate. If depression is left without therapy, relationships with loved ones will deteriorate due to the increased anxiety of the patient. Due to frequent scandals, misunderstanding of the problem, reproaches and worries, it will be bad for him and his family. Feelings of guilt, loneliness are aggravated in an elderly person, suicidal thoughts appear, a desire to save loved ones from oneself as from a burden.

What needs to be done to prevent depression in older people

By paying attention to your elderly relatives, you will already postpone the difficult and terrible process of depression. Your care will not go unnoticed and will be gratefully accepted. So, depression prevention very simple and at the same time very effective:

Physical education gives not only health. Simple exercises improve mood, bring joy from movement, normalize blood pressure, train the heart. In combination with pleasant music (peppy, as in youth at the parade, or melodious), the load gives peace and tranquility, which means it alleviates the manifestations of depression. Walks with like-minded people in parks, forests, along the seashore will undoubtedly bring moments of happiness and joy. A four-legged friend (affectionate spaniel or faithful mongrel) will not let you get bored, he will pull out the owner himself to enjoy the clean morning or evening air.

If you combine two loneliness, there will be no place for depression. Now there are a lot of interest clubs, veteran choirs, dance halls, universities of the third age. You need to look for like-minded people, interlocutors, friends in checkers or lovers of a healthy lifestyle. Loneliness should not leave you alone with depressive thoughts. We note right away that communication over a bottle of alcohol, no matter how warm it may be, does not eliminate the problem, but only exacerbates it.

So that severe diagnoses do not cause depression, you need to control your health. Do not ignore medical examinations and medical examinations, monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels, avoid head injuries.

In old age, changing eating habits is difficult, but often necessary. Keep your favorite, but do not abuse fatty and sweet foods. The basis of good nutrition should include cereals and legumes, fish and olive oil, fruits, vegetables and honey. Green tea will not only invigorate, but also give you the whole set of trace elements you need.

Human life, if you think about it, consists of three periods: for oneself, for relatives and again for oneself. As you may have guessed, children live easily and simply for themselves. So why do older people miss such a great opportunity to return to their carefree, cheerful time? Love yourself, play sports, watch what you eat, and depression will not touch you!

Many are familiar with the situation when it is difficult to please an aged person, he often grumbles and is dissatisfied with something. But only a few realize that depression in older people may be hiding behind such a condition. Close people need our help. Therefore, if you have relatives and loved ones aged, it is recommended to find out in advance how to get an elderly person out of depression.

This is a serious mental illness and every day it occurs more and more often. Timely prevention, treatment and assistance are needed. Depression can be fought if you pay attention to it in time. What to do so that the disease does not touch relatives or friends? How to help an elderly person get out of depression and what is needed for diagnosis?

Symptoms of depression in the elderly

From 15 to 30% of people over the age of 65 suffer from depression of varying severity. The reasons for this are as varied as the symptoms.

As long as a person works and is in demand in society, he knows that he is needed and can be useful. During this period, there is no time to think about your own feelings, problems, illnesses. Realization is one of the important components of our life, because we are busy with some business. When you retire, there is more free time, and the attention of others becomes less. A person does not need to go to work, make important decisions, because of this, the number of social contacts decreases. As a result, various diseases appear and worsen, including depression in old age.

Due to the lack of implementation, deterioration in health and other factors, gradually arises:

sense of anxiety;

excitement and more.

If you do not pay attention to this in time and do not help, depression develops in the elderly. Gender criterion plays an important role: depression is most difficult for older women over 80 years old. Particularly vulnerable are those who have little contact with other people and live alone. For example, unmarried or widowed.

In middle-aged people, the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced than in the very elderly: in the latter, depression can go unnoticed by an unprepared person. The first characteristic signs are frequent mood swings, lack of any interests, loss of strength and energy. They do not always appear at the same time, but if you notice a similar condition in a loved one, you should think about it and take action. Also, depression is characterized by irritability, aggression for no apparent reason, apathy, frequent complaints about problems, lack of motivation in life.

Some of the most common symptoms of depression in older people include:

complaints about health problems that do not correspond to the current state;

sadness, despondency, a feeling of anxiety, which old people rarely talk about to anyone close to them;

indifference and a decrease in interest in the world, life, social problems, communication with other people;

aggression for no apparent reason, tearfulness;

a pronounced decrease in activity, usually immediately noticeable to others;

feeling of guilt for any actions or for no reason, frequent negative thoughts, including about death;

panic attacks, lethargy, lack of motivation even when solving important tasks;

anhedonia;

periodic complaints of memory impairment;

hysterical state, obsession with other people, unreasonable nit-picking and reproaches towards other people.

These symptoms affect not only the psychological state of a person, but also the physical. Due to depression, older people often lose their appetite, refuse food, and begin to lose strength and weight. Age-related ailments worsen.

Causes of depression

For effective treatment, the causes must be determined. What factors most influenced the progression of the disease, which provoked senile depression. The main risk factors are the following:

loss of a loved one - people more often think about their existence after the loss of a husband, wife, child or friend, which entails negative thoughts;

a change in the situation in society - what a person has been earning for years is lost after retirement in part or in full, social activity is reduced;

financial situation - in the absence of a stable salary, pensioners involuntarily begin to feel unnecessary, deprived, so they often continue to work or do housework;

lack of implementation;

loneliness - children grow up, leave their father's house and are engaged in creating their own family, worries, solving problems, while most forget about their parents, meet and communicate much less often;

metabolic deterioration, the occurrence of somatic and psychological disorders, various age-related diseases.

Boarding house for the elderly Residence Third age

The network of boarding houses "The Third Age" is a complex of premium-class organizations for the elderly, which are located in ecologically clean areas of the Moscow Region and are designed for long-term stays of elderly people who are unable to serve themselves on their own or who need special medical care.

Institutions fully meet the needs and needs of the elderly - guests are guaranteed to receive:

five balanced meals a day according to the prescriptions of nutritionists;
round-the-clock medical supervision;
comfortable apartments;
adapted space for residents with limited mobility (wheelchairs, bathroom seats, rollator walkers, multifunctional beds, dry closets, etc.);
varied leisure activities (art therapy, literary evenings, outdoor walks, trips to museums);
psychological assistance for memory training, healing of mental trauma and restoration of good relations in the family;
the possibility of constant communication with relatives via Skype or Viber.

The boarding house Third Age additionally provides the following services:

Halotherapy is the inhalation of salt cave air saturated with salt particles -
Xenon therapy is a complex of xenon inhalations, which contributes to the general strengthening of health, acceleration of rehabilitation -
Complex anti-aging therapy with the use of Laennec - a Japanese drug with peptides -
Balneotherapy - pleasant relaxing treatments that are carried out in salt water with minerals and aromatic oils -
Aerophytotherapy is a treatment with air filled with vegetable essential oils -

The boarding house employs qualified personnel who apply innovative French methods when working with the elderly.

Some diseases without adequate treatment become chronic, which increases the likelihood of depression. According to the WHO, several common diseases can lead to a mental disorder:

atherosclerosis, which affects the blood vessels, leading to coronary heart disease, increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious complications;

hypertension;

diabetes mellitus and related problems;

other serious illnesses that cause constant pain;

oncology.

To treat chronic diseases, a person is forced to constantly take strong medications that affect the mental state and contribute to the development of symptoms of depression. If a pensioner has previously suffered from such disorders, then the risk of re-development of a depressive state increases.

Treating depression in the elderly

The symptoms of depression in older people are rarely very pronounced, so it is more difficult to notice the disease. Relatives are often mistaken when they attribute the above manifestations to dementia and other problems. For this reason, there is no timely medical care, the disease progresses and it becomes more difficult to cure.

In some cases, depression is combined with senile dementia; it is impossible to independently determine such a pathology. Only a psychiatrist can correctly diagnose and prescribe medication or non-drug treatment. If you notice that the condition of a loved one is deteriorating and similar symptoms appear, contact a specialist immediately for a consultation.

Diagnosis is carried out in the presence of minimal suspicion of depression. There are certain tests that simplify the procedure. If the signs of the disease are confirmed, it is necessary to visit a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Drugs for depression in old age can only be prescribed by a specialist. Self-medication is prohibited, since the disease often occurs against the background of other health problems. Therefore, intervention without a doctor's prescription will not bring the desired effect, and may also lead to a deterioration in the condition.

Possible Complications

Depressed older people often consider suicide because health problems, weakness, limitations in physical and other activities, low self-esteem, and other factors lead to a feeling of uselessness. Pay more attention to the elderly person, monitor his condition. Sometimes suicidal thoughts are one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia.

Sad and terrible statistics show the following:

patients over the age of 70 are more likely to think about suicide;

every second woman who committed suicide is over 60 years old;

men over the age of 80 are much more likely to attempt suicide.

Do not forget about elderly relatives, listen to what they tell you, pay attention to their actions and actions. If there is a trusting relationship between you, then you can directly ask the person about what worries him and what he thinks about, is there an interest in life. Seek medical attention at the slightest sign of suicidal thoughts. Perhaps in this way it will be possible to avoid the terrible consequences of depression.

Chronic diseases are more severe if the elderly suffer from a depressive disorder. The risk of death from diseases of the cardiovascular system increases, it is much more difficult to carry out rehabilitation. Due to loss of appetite and refusal to eat, dehydration occurs, the protective functions of the body decrease, weight is rapidly reduced and the likelihood of infectious diseases increases. To avoid complications, it is necessary to seek medical help in a timely manner.

Medical treatment

For effective treatment, complex therapy is used, which includes not only medicines, but also psychotherapeutic assistance.

The safest and most effective antidepressants for the elderly are:

fluoxetine;

fluvoxamine;

citalopram;

sertraline and more

All of them belong to the group of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Small dosages are needed so that various side effects do not develop that negatively affect the weakened senile body.

To reduce the likelihood of side effects, therapy is supplemented with nootropics, vitamins of group B. At the same time, it is imperative to take into account what drugs an elderly person takes to treat other diseases, if any.

When eliminating senile depression, you should not expect quick results. Visible improvements usually take at least 6-8 weeks. After that, the dosage is reduced by the decision of the specialist, if necessary, the doctor prescribes other medications. This is necessary to exclude the regression of symptoms of depression. It is strictly forbidden to stop taking drugs on your own. Cancellation should be carried out gradually, over the course of a year and under the supervision of a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Do not forget about non-drug treatments, which include family and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Prevention of depression in the elderly

If the family has children and a relative of the age does not mind being with them, then entrust him with some things. For example, help with lessons, educational games or something else. It is not selfish if it happens voluntarily. Grandchildren will get closer to their grandfather or grandmother, you will have more free time, and a person of age will not feel lonely.

Special attention is required for people who have lost a spouse, child or friend. In this case, the likelihood of developing depression increases. Help and don't give up on elderly relatives. If you have chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart problems, do not forget to monitor your health. An elderly person sometimes neglects medication. The program for the prevention of depression in the nursing home just includes the control of medication intake and other methods aimed at eliminating mental disorders.

Effective removal of the elderly from depression

The first action in the manifestation of depression is a conversation with an elderly person about his condition. It is important to explain the need for a visit to the doctor and the consequences if this is not done. The pensioner must understand that the disease causes serious complications and significantly affects life.

Treatment of depression is possible only under the supervision of a doctor. Follow the recommendations of a specialist and be patient. In order to achieve a positive result as quickly as possible, you need to strengthen the body. Help an elderly person, organize walks, entertainment, buy tickets to the theater or cinema. Any little thing that improves mood and distracts from bad thoughts is important for your loved one.

How to overcome spring depression in the elderly

✅Skilled Care

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Depression is a serious mental health disorder that results in persistent feelings of sadness, loss, frustration, and anger that interfere with a person's daily life. This condition requires immediate treatment to prevent the risk of disability and suicidal tendencies, which are relatively higher in the elderly. Knowing how depression affects this demographic group of people will help the elderly person to live a full life, and in many ways make life easier for their relatives and caregivers.

Why older people get depressed

As people age, people often experience major life changes that increase their risk of developing depression. They may include:

chronic diseases;
isolation from society;
immobility;
financial difficulties;
divorce or widowhood;
death of friends and relatives;
approaching the end of life;
loss of independence;
retirement;
moving.

Alcohol or drug use can speed up the onset of this condition.

Lonely and socially unsupported older people are at the highest risk of depression.

Challenges in identifying depression in the elderly

Depression in the elderly is quite difficult to recognize. This is because its symptoms (such as fatigue, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, etc.) can also occur as part of the normal aging process.

Often the signs of depression are attributed to the result of some physical illness that occurs at this age, and family members usually ignore these symptoms.

Depression-induced suicidal tendencies and deaths associated with depression are higher in older people than in other populations. However, men are at higher risk than women. The reasons are mainly related to widowhood and divorce.

Older people with depression have a very high risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. Their brain function is markedly impaired and they are more anxious than other groups of people.

Depression is a problem that needs special attention to help the elderly improve their quality of life.

When a person is already depressed, it is quite difficult to find the motivation to do anything. But even small steps towards maintaining health can make a big difference in reducing symptoms of depression.

Exercises

Research shows that exercise can be just as effective as antidepressants. Take a short walk or do some light homework and see how much you feel better.

Even if an older person is sick or disabled, there are plenty of safe exercises they can do to boost their mood – even while sitting in a chair or wheelchair.

Diet

Start by minimizing sugar and refined carbs, and instead focus on quality protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats.

You can't go too long without food, it will worsen the mood, make the elderly tired and irritable, so do your best to eat at least every 3-4 hours.

quality sleep

Many older people constantly struggle with sleep problems, especially insomnia. Normal sleep duration is somewhere between 7-9 hours. To sleep better, avoid alcohol and caffeine, go to bed at the same time, and keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.

Day walks

Sunlight will increase your serotonin levels, improve your mood and deal with seasonal affective disorder. If possible, an elderly person should go outside during the day and walk for at least 15 minutes.

Communication

It's never too late to build new friendships! Convince your elderly relative to join a group of people with similar interests. It could be a book club, a chess club, etc. To overcome depression and stop its return, it is important to continue to feel involved in some common cause and enjoy a new purpose in life.

One solution to problems with lack of communication can be a private retirement home: interaction with others facing the same daily problems will reduce the feeling of loneliness.

Unfortunately, at present, the vast majority of elderly people suffering from depressive disorders do not come to the attention of psychiatrists, including geriatric psychiatrists, do not receive specialized assistance, which leads to a prolongation, aggravation of the disease, up to suicide. I hope this article will help you figure out what is happening with your loved ones or with you, navigate the situation and resolve it in the best way.

At the beginning of the disease, patients are disturbed by a depressed mood, they are gloomy, insomnia is noted. In the future, anxiety phenomena with motor restlessness and ideational excitement increase, various forms of depressive delusions develop - condemnation, punishment, death, hypochondriacal and suicidal ideas.

Distinctive features of depressive disorder in the elderly:

Anxious motor anxiety at the height of the development of the disease reaches a degree of pronounced motor excitation, may alternate with a state of inhibition in the form of motor numbness, reflecting the fear and despair experienced by the patient. The gestures of such patients are expressive, the behavior is defiantly pretentious.
Delusional experiences cover almost the entire variety of topics of "guilt" and "punishment". Hypochondriacal delusions are also characteristic, the content of which is usually focused on violations of intestinal function and the consequences “destructive” for the body associated with them (rotting, poisoning, atrophy of organs).
At the remote stages of the development of the disease, the clinical picture stabilizes, becomes more and more monotonous, a state of monotonous anxiety arises with monotonous motor restlessness, a decrease in mental activity, constant mood depression and a decrease in emotional resonance.

After the end of the depressive episode, patients show residual mood disturbances, either in the form of a persistent decrease in the background, or in the form of periodic recessions. These disorders are combined with individual somatovegetative manifestations of depression (sleep and appetite disorders).

Late depression is characterized by the development of a phenomenon called "double depression", when, against the background of a persistent decrease in mood, repeated outlined depressive phases occur.

Symptoms of depression in old age

The complaints of patients are usually dominated by general depression, gloomy thoughts, anxiety, physical decline, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders in the form of diffuse pathological sensations or painful disorders of the functions of individual organs. When observing the patient, there is a small expressiveness of facial expressions, a lack of liveliness, a look that reflects impotence and fatigue, a monotonous muffled voice and anxious anxiety.

Depression in the elderly can be "blinded" by somatic complaints. Such patients fix their attention on the somatic manifestations of the depressive syndrome - loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss, fatigue, headaches, pain in the back and other parts of the body, etc. At the same time, they can deny or sharply underestimate the degree of severity of affective disorders proper.

Causes of depression in old age

When describing the psychological situation, the significance of problems arising in old age, such as “confrontation with approaching death”, “loss of prospects”, “tension and friction with the new generation”, is usually emphasized. With the loss of a loved one, the usual way of life, the established order in relationships, is sharply violated. Widowhood without remarriage in old age is associated with a high risk of developing loneliness and, as a consequence, this depressive disorder. The increase in stress load due to the unfavorable socio-economic conditions of the “epoch of reforms”, which primarily affected the elderly, as well as due to a violation of their worldview, lead to social maladjustment. Depressive conditions also develop as a result of the dismissal of older people from work (“pension depression”). They are accompanied by painful experiences of uselessness, lack of demand, while maintaining the need for further professional and social self-actualization. Attempts to belittle and belittle the role of veterans of the Great Patriotic War and home front workers, the significance of their military and labor exploits and efforts inflict moral trauma on them. There is also evidence of the pathogenic effect of changing housing. This situation causes a special type of depression - “depression of moving”. In addition, depressive states in the elderly are often provoked by events such as intra-family conflicts.

Prevention of depression in the elderly

The mental health of the elderly is improved with varying degrees of effectiveness by different types of interventions:

Physical exercise that provides both physical and psychological benefits, including greater life satisfaction, good mood and mental well-being, alleviation of psychological distress and symptoms of depression, lowering blood pressure, improved heart function).
Improving social support through friendship. Older people need encouragement for their actions. It is desirable to confirm the correctness of their actions more often and encourage success. “Today you move more confidently with a cane!”, “How well you sat on the bed today!”, “This sweater suits you very much!” etc. Asking older people about their past is very beneficial for them. Ask the elderly person to tell about his relatives, childhood, places where he lived in his youth, about past work, interests. It is very good to look together at old photographs of the places where he was born, lived, worked, especially those in which he is depicted in strength, performing socially significant work. This always helps to increase the self-esteem of an elderly person. However, older people should feel your real interest in the events being told, your desire to experience what he once experienced and felt. If he does not believe your interest, then most likely he will withdraw into himself, and you will lose his trust for a long time.
Educational work with older people with chronic diseases and their caregivers, meetings to discuss life events.
Prevention of traumatic brain injury, high systolic blood pressure and high serum cholesterol also appear to be effective in reducing the risk of dementia.

Diagnosis of depression in the elderly

Factors to consider in diagnosis depression in the elderly:

Altered symptoms of depression in later life:

There are practically no complaints of sadness and despondency.
Hypochondriacal and somatic complaints instead of complaints of sadness and despondency.
Complaints of poor memory or a clinical picture resembling dementia.
Late appearance of neurotic symptoms (severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive or hysterical symptoms).
Apathy and low motivation.

Symptoms that are difficult to interpret due to a concomitant physical illness:

Anorexia.
Decrease in body weight.
Decrease in energy.

Causes of depressive episodes of organic origin:

Medicines that can cause organic depression:

Hypotensive:

Beta blockers.
Methyl dopa.
Calcium channel blockers (eg nifedipine).
Digoxin.

Corticosteroids:

Prednisolone.

Analgesics:

Codeine.
Opioids.
COX-2 inhibitors (eg celecoxib, rofecoxib).

Medicines indicated for parkinsonism:

Left dopa.
Amantadine.
Tetrabenazine.

Psychotropic drugs (may cause a clinical picture resembling depression):

Antipsychotic drugs.
Benzodiazepines

Somatic disorders that can serve as an organic cause depression in the elderly:

Endocrine and metabolic:

Hypo and hyperthyroidism
Cushing's syndrome
Hypercalcemia (primary hyperparathyroidism or carcinoma)
pernicious anemia
folic acid deficiency

Organic brain damage:

Vascular disease / stroke.
Tumors of the central nervous system.
Parkinson's disease.
Alzheimer's disease .

Latent carcinoma:

pancreas.
lungs.

Chronic infectious diseases:

Neurosyphilis.
Brucellosis.
Shingles.

Treating depression in the elderly

Elderly patients suffering from depression rarely offer psychological treatments. However, in major depressive disorder, the combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy is more effective than either alone, especially in preventing relapse.

Of the drugs, almost the entire modern arsenal of antidepressants is used, including well-known tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, as well as antidepressants of the "new generation" - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and reversible MAO-A inhibitors. However, when prescribing certain psychopharmacological agents to an elderly patient, one should always keep in mind the increased risk of side effects and complications, especially since complications at a later age are particularly severe. In these cases, it is possible to correct therapy by changing doses, changing drugs and changing the general treatment regimen.

From psychotherapeutic methods, cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are used.

Electroconvulsive therapy remains the most effective and affordable treatment for severe depression, and is usually used when life is threatened due to malnutrition or suicidal behavior, or when antidepressants are ineffective.

Depression is a mental illness. It is accompanied by a decrease in mental activity, as well as a bad mood. Men and women of all ages suffer from this disease. Elderly people are especially susceptible to depression.

Investigating depression, doctors have not yet fully figured out all the causes of this violation of human behavior. Many people do not understand the seriousness of the disease. Depression is a hidden disease in which patients experience their "hell" alone.

A suffering person feels all his helplessness, he blames himself for all troubles. Sometimes the disease lasts more than a year. A person closes in on himself and he loses interest in life. The disease most often develops in old age. Depressive disorders are common among elderly patients. Most often, the disease appears after 60 years. Women suffer from depression three times more often than men.

Causes

The main cause of depression is aging. The feeling of one's own old age leads a person to apathy and pushes to suicidal thoughts. Aging is manifested by the loss of former physical strength, the organs of hearing and vision weaken, it becomes more difficult to maintain oneself.

Relatives leave, children leave their parental nest. In retirement, you have to forget about work and limit yourself in communication. There is nothing to do with many things and various thoughts come to mind that upset the soul.

Emotional perception of the world subsides, stubbornness intensifies. Physical activity is reduced, and elderly patients are trying to find an explanation for this and look for diseases in themselves.

Old people have a lot of free time. Nothing distracts from reflections and negative thoughts. Lonely old people have no one to take care of, there are few things to do and it remains to think about their lives. People begin to remember their lives, regret their actions, suffer. They suffer from remorse and so on.

During the development of a depressive state, a person becomes more grouchy and irritable. The mood is bad almost all the time, he can get angry because of the usual little things. Therefore there are so many old people who are unhappy.

Symptoms

How do you know if an older person is suffering from depression? If the following symptoms were found, then it's time to sound the alarm and seek help from a specialist. Bangs aged often complain about:

Lack of appetite.
Poor sleep and insomnia.
Fatigue.
Apathy.
Bad mood.

They all try to stay away from the people around them. Isolate from loved ones. Elderly patients with depression give up their favorite hobby and stop communicating with friends. Such behavior should be alarming. These are signs of a disease. Pensioners often lose self-respect, and it seems to them that they have become a burden on their children. It is very important to recognize depression in time.

Pensioners perceive social, physical and social aging very painfully. They are lonely and believe that life has already passed them by. With senile depression, people become more suspicious, vulnerable and pedantic. It is especially dangerous when a bad mood turns into anxiety. This can lead to suicide. This cannot be allowed.

Diagnostics

Recognizing depression is difficult, as older people are not inclined to identify themselves as depressed.

The most effective method of diagnosis is a conversation with the patient. To prescribe an effective treatment, the doctor learns all the symptoms of the patient. Physiological tests will help determine the general state of health. Making a diagnosis is a difficult task. After all, depression manifests itself in many ways. Depression is a very dangerous disorder that affects a person's thoughts, behavior and feelings.

Treatment

Treatment of senile depression is a laborious process. A prerequisite for successful treatment is a conversation with a psychologist. Treatment should be complex, medications alone will not be enough.

The specialist should establish contact with an elderly patient. It is necessary to find a person new hobbies that will bring pleasure. He needs good communication and proper nutrition. The main thing is to let people know that they need it.

With progressive depression, drug treatment and psychotherapy are used. Usually, with senile depression, it is recommended to visit a psychologist. Sometimes antidepressants are prescribed, which also help young patients. If the patient listens to all the advice of the doctor, and he has the support of loved ones, then he will cope with the disease and again find the meaning of life.

Folk remedies

Herbal tinctures can help relieve the symptoms of senile depression.

Carrot. Raw carrots will help get rid of depression. The daily norm of this vegetable is 150-200g. You can drink a glass of juice.
Banana. Delicious and healthy banana will help with depression. Thanks to yellow fruits, the hormone of happiness is produced in the body. The fruit contains the alkaloid harman, it contains mescaline, and we need it.
Ginseng. An effective herb in the treatment of depression. It is necessary to pour dried leaves and roots with alcohol 1:10. Infuse for about a month and drink 20 drops three times a day. This tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Flower pollen has a calming effect. It has a beneficial effect on the human psyche.

Complications

The consequences of depression in the elderly can be catastrophic. The risk of suicide increases. Depression shortens a patient's life expectancy and can lead to heart attack, coronary heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases.

The patient ceases to enjoy life, he is increasingly visited by thoughts of death, it is difficult for him to concentrate. In an elderly patient, appetite and sleep are disturbed. Without treatment, everything will worsen the condition.

Prevention

It is very important to support the elderly. Relatives should provide moral and physical assistance. If necessary, come to visit and cook food together, visit the house. Walking in the park and affectionate communication will be a good prevention. You need to be polite and understanding with older people. People of retirement age need to know that they are still needed by others. Only love, understanding and support will save you from a depressive state.