Fighting Depression

Dear Linda:
      
My 68-year-old mother used to be the life of the party. Now she sleeps a lot and is blue all the time. I fear she’s depressed, and I’m worried. She refuses to go to the doctor, but reads your column religiously. What do you suggest?

A concerned daughter

Dear Concerned Daughter:
      
Depression is a serious medical illness that must be diagnosed and treated by trained professionals. If left untreated, depression, which can last months or even years, can cause unnecessary suffering for the person and their family members, worsen other diseases, lead to disability or premature death, and result in suicide (Those over 65-years-old account for more than 25% of the nation’s suicides).

Being depressed is not a normal part of aging, and it’s impossible “to just snap out of it”. Unlike sadness, which does not impact engaging in regular activities, depression interferes with the ability to function. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, other symptoms are: sadness that lasts more than two weeks, unexplained physical pain or gastrointestinal problems, excessive worry about finances and health, difficulty with sleeping and concentrating, weight changes, no interest in personal hygiene and appearance, and withdrawal from regular, social activities.

Like other illnesses, there are various types and levels of depression. Published in Cognitive Therapy and Research, a recent study determined that late-onset depression (in people over 60) can damage the brain’s executive functions (planning and control), and can spiral into excessive rumination (uncontrolled thought patterns that are repetitive, negative and destructive). Symptoms include inattention, a decline in the working memory, rigid thinking, and no inhibition.

Depression is sometimes difficult to diagnose among the aging. Rather than be considered weak or crazy, an older person usually describes physical pain to the physician rather than feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, loss of interest or prolonged grief. When properly diagnosed and treated, however, more than 80% of those suffering from depression recover fully and return to normal, productive lives.

You must convince your mom about the importance of a regular medical exam and get her to the doctor.  You might suggest that anemia, a problem with her thyroid and/or hormonal imbalance may also be contributors to her lethargy.

When you get her to the doctor, explain the symptoms and change in behavior carefully and be clear about how long it has been going on and your worry about the possibility of depression. A good anti-depressant can break the cycle of systemic depression that often results from a long term problem that has gone untreated.

Then be sure she takes her medicine as prescribed, as it takes a while to become affective, and be sure she does not stop abruptly or without the permission of her physician.