Best Depression Treatment for Older People

A new study comparing the effective of physical exercise and antidepressants as treatment methods in depression for old people discovers that medications improved symptoms better than exercise.

Antidepressant medications can be effective than exercise for older adults with mild or moderate depression.

Depression is the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorder in old age, with 8% to 16% of patients have clinically significant depressive symptoms.

Depression - Symptom Evaluation
Depression occurs due to alterations in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

‘Antidepressant medications works best for old people with mild to moderate depression.’

Researchers in Spain conducted a randomized clinical trial with 347 old age people with mild to moderate depression to compare the effectiveness of physical exercise and antidepressants as treatment methods.

The study participants are divided into two groups: one group is engaged in physical exercise under supervision and the other group received antidepressant treatment by their general practitioners.

The study published in Annals of Family Medicine show that depressive symptoms are not different between the two groups after one month. But, after three to six months, the number of people showing improvement is higher in the antidepressant group.

What Is The Role Of Psychedelic Drug In Depression?
The novel effects of psychedelic drug psilocybin, present in mushrooms that spurs the growth of neuronal connections can produce enduring and long-lasting changes in depression.

They also noted the number of participants who withdrew from the study is higher in the physical activity group, while more adverse side-effects are reported among the antidepressants group.

The advanced age and the health problems and/or functional limitations common to older people may negatively influence the adherence to a six-month physical activity program.

Quiz on Depression
The World Health Organization reports that depression is one of the main causes of disability affecting about 121 million people worldwide. More tragically, it claims around 850,000 lives every year. Hence, it is important that we understand this affliction to help ourselves or our loved ones to cope and, hopefully, resolve it. How well do you know the facts about depression? Take this quiz and find out.

Source-Medindia

Senior Citizens Get 'Tech Savvy' to Get Over Depression - Research Benefits
By getting tech-savvy, senior citizens are fostering new engagements, bringing in positive change in their attitude, health, fighting depression and improving the quality of their lives.