When Sadness Takes Its Toll: Understanding Depression in Older Adults
Before You Say
"I'm Fine"
Depression is often overlooked in older adults. That's why the National Institute of Mental Health recommends that if you are a senior and someone — including your doctor — asks how you are doing, you should consider the following before you say, "I'm fine."
Ask yourself if you feel:
- Nervous or "empty"
- Guilty or worthless
- Very tired and slowed down
- Like you don't enjoy things the way you used to
- Like no one loves you
- Like life is not worth living
Or if you are:
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Eating more or less than usual
- Having persistent headaches, stomach aches or chronic pain
These may be the symptoms of depression, a treatable medical illness. But your doctor can only treat you if you share how you are really feeling. If you need a referral to a physician, contact the Memorial Healthcare System Physician Referral Service at
(800) 944-DOCS.
June 2003 — The "golden years" may bring many changes for older adults, but chronic sadness should not be one of them. Depression — a brain disorder that causes drastic changes in thoughts, feelings and behavior — affects more than 11 million Americans every year. Six percent of Americans 65 or older experience depression — often mistaking these feelings of sadness as part of the aging process.
Depression and the Aging Process
"Life changes — such as the loss of a loved one, stress and diagnosis of a major illness — can cause natural feelings of remorse, grief and sadness," says Mitchell E. Spero, PsyD, psychologist on staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Memorial Hospital West. "However, if these feelings continue, depression could be the cause."
Although symptoms of dementia may overlap those of depression, some physiological factors can actually precipitate depression in older adults. They include:
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Hormonal disorders
- Parkinson's disease
- Some forms of cancer
- Body chemistry and genetics
- Side effects of medications used to treat heart disease and high-blood pressure
Additionally, older women are twice as likely as men to become seriously depressed. Biological and social changes can make them more vulnerable to this form of mental illness.
Help Is Available
Fortunately, once diagnosed, depression can be treated successfully with psychotherapy and/or medication.
"The important step is to recognize the symptoms in yourself (or your loved ones) and communicate them to your doctor," says Dr. Spero. "Don't be embarrassed to seek help for depression. Once diagnosed and treated, you can rediscover hope and go back to enjoying your life again."
The Memorial Healthcare System offers a Depression Support Group at the Memorial Senior Resource Center in Hallandale Beach. For additional information, please call (954) 457-0501.
If you feel that you or someone you know is suffering from depression, contact Memorial Regional Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health for a FREE depression screening. To schedule the screening, please call
(954) 985-1455.
For a referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We’re available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.