Holistic Management of Depression in Older Adults
Depression in older adults is different from the depression experienced by others. Older adults may holistically manage depression by socializing more, exercising, and eating balanced diet.
If you are an older adult and if you have depression, you are not alone. Statistics reveal that at least 15 to 20 percent of the older adults exhibit depression. People commonly think that depression in the older adults is a part of aging and fail to notice their distress. Even physicians are likely to ignore depression in the elderly and concentrate instead on physical complaints.
Depression in older adults may be slightly different than typical cases of this condition. Feelings of sadness, which is a common sign of depression, may not occur in all older adults.
Instead, their symptoms of depression maybe low motivation, aggravated pains and aches such as arthritic pains that have gotten worse, lack of energy, lack of interest in personal care, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, irritability and memory problems.
Untreated depression may cause various physical illness and amplified disabilities such as cognitive decline, leading to high mortality including suicide. In fact, a study has shown that depressive symptoms in older adults worsened their cognitive function, especially in women.
The high risk factors for depression in older adults include:
- Social isolation, living alone, loneliness, and decreased mobility due to illness.
- Health problems such as pain, decline in cognitive function, chronic illness, or any disability.
- Side effects of medication. Sometimes the medication itself can trigger or exacerbate depression.
- Emotional factors such as feelings of purposelessness, loss of spouse or a family member, or anxiety over financial problems.
- Fear of death or dying.
Treatment of depression shows significant reduction in symptom severity. But because older adults typically have a higher prevalence of medical conditions and consequently a complex regimen of medication, physicians are often reluctant to add another medication to the existing ones.
In this context, psychosocial interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and psychodynamic therapy along with holistic management of depression can play a crucial role in the well-being of the older adult.
- Connect with others and your family. A strong support system is important for older adults experiencing depression as you may need help taking care of yourself.
- Limit the time you are alone. Invite loved ones to visit you if you don’t want to get out and socialize. Have lunches with your friends.
- Don’t stay cooped up at home all day. Go out into the world. Take a walk in the park or garden. Studies have shown that garden walks alone or garden walks with guided imagery have a positive effect on mild to moderate depression in older adults.
- Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity and exercise is a must if you want to fight depression. Investigational studies have found that exercise programs such as aerobic exercise has anti-depressive effects among older adults. However, you need to consult your doctor before starting any exercise regimen.
- Eat a balanced diet. Good nutrition with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables help combat depression. Limit alcohol. It doesn’t do any good to your mental health or to your physical health (except when you have heart disease in which case restrict alcohol consumption to a couple of drinks per week).
- Practice yoga and/or meditation. Yoga and meditation promote mindfulness, that is, they make you aware of your negative thoughts but don’t let you get caught in them. Studies have shown that Transcendental meditation reduces symptoms of depression in older adults and it may improve mental and associated physical health, especially cardio vascular disease, in older adults.
