Depression in Senior Citizens

Depression in Senior Citizens
By David Crumrine

Depression is a medical condition that is characterized by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless; low self-esteem; and loss of interest in things one used to enjoy. Senior citizens are prone to life-altering changes that can lead one to feel depressed. Dealing with the trials life throws at us such as, loss, change, loneliness, or a chronic medical condition can be quite overwhelming. Still, depression is not a "normal" part of aging. Like heart disease or diabetes, depression is a medical condition and it can be treated with medication and therapy. Treatment is effective at alleviating symptoms within a few weeks in at least 80 percent of people.

It is important that senior citizens and those providing their elder care understand the symptoms of depression. If you think you or someone you know may be suffering from depression, identify your symptoms by using the checklist provided below. Then, if necessary, seek assistance. For senior citizens, the most frequently used resource is a family doctor. Bringing a trusted friend or relative may help ease any anxiety when going to an appointment. Understand that your doctor may suggest a checkup and begin treatment or refer you to a mental health specialist.

Before you say, "I'm okay"....

Do you feel:

• Anxious or "empty"



• Guilty or useless



• Agitated or irritable



• Less interested in things you used to enjoy



• Like no one loves you



• Life is not worth living

Or if you are:

• A change in sleeping habits



• A change in eating habits



• Persistent headaches, stomach aches, or pain

Remember that these may be real symptoms of a real medical condition that can be effectively treated. Talk to your doctor today. Though many senior citizens suffer from depression, feeling depressed is not a normal part of aging.

Health and Wellness tips

There are many measures senior citizens can take to help relieve the symptoms of depression. Those involved in the elder care of senior citizens experiencing depression should encourage the senior to follow these tips and improve their wellbeing.

Check your medications. Senior citizens often take many medications. Some medications, including those for sleep, blood pressure, and nervousness, may affect mood. Talk with your doctor about each of the medications you are taking. Be sure to include all over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements to minimize the chances of having side effects.

Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol use can bring about depression. And, when alcohol and drugs are combined, interactions that lead to depression can occur.

Stay connected. Sometimes, senior citizens find it more difficult to get out and stay connected with others. Still, talking with friends and family members, getting a pet, or even finding a new interest or hobby can help one through this tough time. Get involved in activities you take pleasure in, such as reading a good book, going to a ballgame or a taking a class in a subject that interests to you.

Be active. Physical activity can improve physical and mental wellbeing. Though some senior citizens believe they cannot exercise, there are activities like walking, gardening, or working out (even if one is in a wheelchair) that can be helpful. Make a goal of 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week. If you have not taken part in physical activity in a while, be sure to check with your doctor and get his ok before you begin.

Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids. Choose healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, yogurt, or nuts to increase your nutrition and energy. Also, try to eat well-balanced meals. Some senior citizens suffer from loss of appetite and weight loss; if you have experienced either of these, consult your doctor.

The Caring Space

http://www.TheCaringSpace.com

David Crumrine at the Caring Space

We are an organization that connects caregivers and care seekers, providing an easy and affordable resource for families seeking care for friends/loved ones and caregivers seeking employment.

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How Does Depression Affect Your Weight?
By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT

When people think of depression, they tend to focus more on how it affects a person mentally. It is true that depression is caused by either a chemical imbalance, a traumatic event or is a condition that is passed down through genetics; however, regardless of the reason why someone has developed depression, it can have an negative impact on a person's physical health. It could be that they have lost interest in caring for their appearance, or lost interest in an activity they would normally enjoy on a regular business. Depression can even affect a person's weight by either gaining or losing weight, depending on whether they have decided to try and self-medicate their depression with food or by ignoring food all together.

It is common for depression to affect a person's weight, more so than most realize. The change in weight has even been caused by some anti-depressants that some depressed people have been prescribed; however, the common result of serious depression appears to be the loss of weight. In this situation, the person has lost interest in food or they feel they don't deserve to eat it. It could be that they are unhappy with their appearance and they feel that they don't deserve to eat anymore because they are already too overweight. It could be that a person feels that they don't deserve the right to live, whether it is because they are being bullied unmercifully by others at school, or a past traumatic event has cost them a loved one who they feel should not have died. The list could go on for all the reasons why a person would lose their appetite. The point is that if this condition is allowed to go on without proper treatment, the individual can develop other conditions, such as anorexia or bulimia, where they will let themselves starve to death.

Weight loss, regardless of the reasons is a serious issue. A person who appears to be depressed, is losing weight and does not appear to have an interest in eating at all, especially as a result of guilt or just loss of interest, needs to consult a therapist or a counselor. An online therapist can help the individual figure out why they are depressed and they can also help the patient deal with their loss of appetite and weight. People who are this depressed often find it easier to get help from an online counselor, especially if they are a teenager who is worried about their personal image. Many people in the past have avoided getting the help they need because they were afraid that others would see them going in to see a therapist or counselor in person. Now, thanks to the internet, online therapy is available. People can contact an online therapist and get the help they need from the comfort of their home and their confidentiality is guaranteed. Online counseling is becoming more popular all the time as more people prefer to use it. Also, many people who have decided to go with online therapy have been successfully treated.

Jennifer Baxt is the owner of CompleteCounselingSolutions.com which offers a variety of online counseling services. If you would like to know more about Jennifer or any of our online therapists, visit our website.

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I'm sorry

Hello readers,

I just wanted to apologize for not keeping this blog updated regularly. I've been goign to school and working on my degree so I can work with people with mental health disabilities such as depression, anxiety and so forth. I also put in a lot of hours as a volunteer at a center for mental health disabilities. I promise to try to keep it updated.

Thanks for coming back.

Respond to Depression
By Tian Yu

Throughout the course of our lives, we all experience episodes of unhappiness, sadness, or grief. Often, when a loved one dies or we suffer a personal tragedy or difficulty such as divorce or loss of a job, we may feel depressed. Depression can strike at any time, and properly responding to the depression is very important.

Some people don't really understand about depression. They may criticize a depressed person's low energy, yelling at the person for acting lazy or not trying harder. Some people mistakenly believe that depression is just an attitude or a mood that a person can shake off. It's not that easy. Sometimes even people who are depressed don't take their condition seriously enough. Some people feel that they are weak in some way because they are depressed. This is wrong and it can even be harmful if it causes people to hide their depression and avoid getting help.

Sometimes friends or family members recognize that someone is depressed. They may respond with love, kindness, or support, hoping that the sadness will soon pass. They may offer to listen if the person wants to talk. If the depressed feeling doesn't pass with a little time, friends or loved ones may encourage the person to get help from a doctor, therapist, or counselor.

The depressed person will most times want to talk about their life problems. They may want you to confirm their negative view of life and at the same time can be very manipulative, needy, and demanding. There is much time and effort exerted trying to solve their problems and when they become exhausted and realize that there is no solution they become further depressed. It will be very easy for you to be sucked into this spiral of emotions to the benefit of neither you nor your depressed friend. Their problems might be horrendous and unsolvable at this time, but for now the most pressing problem in their life is the depression, this is especially true if they are having suicidal thoughts.

Keep in mind that you are not trying to provide solutions to their life problems and you are not trying cure their depression. What you are attempting to accomplish is to help them explore other opinions and options as to the cause and the cure of their depression.

Leading eBooks Company

Click to find more about Depression Relief

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Depression - Is Society Taking the Wrong Approach?
By David Braybrooke

Is society taking the wrong approach with the treatment of depression? I would answer this as most certainly. The fact is that the pharmaceutical industry makes countless millions in revenue each and every year, profiting from the misery of the masses.

Drugs from Prozac to Zoloft and a plethora of others are fed to the wider populace at an alarming rate. From personal experience, I can clearly state that anti-depressant medication has a wide range of negative side-effects that directly affect the consumer.

At present I am taking a tablet called Effexor and am not experiencing too many troubling symptoms. However, if I decided to take myself off this medication then I can expect a whole range of worrying symptoms; anything from tremors to blurred vision and poor concentration and digestion.

On first examination the above conditions may not be of much concern to some but I have to admit being alarmed at how the human body can be so severely affected by these types of medications.

My theory on why depression is so widespread in society is that we are no longer as well-connected and networked as individuals. Many people confess that they don't even know their neighbors. The modern condition of disconnection from others is rife in modern society.

Slowing down the pace of life, remembering to count one's blessings and participating in personally fulfilling activities with other like-minded people is one avenue that depression can be combated. Instead, we're heading off to the Doctor's office in ever increasing numbers to be prescribed the latest wonder drug. Does anyone besides myself wonder about how many qualified Doctors have shares in drug companies?

New prescription medications are often unknown quantities when it comes to long termed effects in the human body. Remember what they discovered about thalidomide. Enough said!

Why do I think that medications are a poor choice in attacking the depression 'plague'? Because I've taken them myself, Zoloft, Sertraline and Effexor XR and I remained depressed and suicidal throughout the course of the medications. And I'm by no means the only one to have experienced this.

The right approach in tackling depression would be the encouragement of meaningful relating between people; really listening and being supportive of sufferers. For some, prescribed medications may offer relief in the short-term but the long-term answer is the questioning of one's personal beliefs and the examination of reasons why one is experiencing depression.

One things for certain, we weren't born depressed so it is likely that it is a learned psychological condition that can be reversed.

Keep busy, appreciate your own achievements, exercise on a daily basis and have a healthy diet. Have a positive attitude to life and get involved within your community. The way out of the darkness owes much to common sense living. And I can state this from my own experience.

David Braybrooke http://makebigmoney-fatherspirit.blogspot.com

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What is Depression?

Healing After The Holidays - How To Keep Cheer In Your Spirits

Healing After The Holidays - How To Keep Cheer In Your Spirits
By Jason Witt

When you receive the Seal, you will feel like every day or at least many days are a holiday. But you may still need to "recover" from the Christmas holidays in 2007 anyway.

When you are sealed, every day can be a holiday. Instead of fewer holidays you have more. That is the kind of joy you will feel when you get closer to God. And when you get the victory over evil.

But you may still have stress during the conventional hoidays, starting with Thanksgiving and culminating with New Year's Day, and of course including Christmas between them.

A big holiday stressor is expectations. You may want this holiday to be "better" than it can possibly be, and you may want to share some of your joy with the other people. You are likely to be let down.

Then there is the financial stress of Christmas. You are probably spending more than you can afford, just trying to be giving. But it catches up with you, especially come January.

And there are also social stressors. You may have goodwill toward everyone but they may not be so goodhearted. When you have to gather with family during the holidays old differences can resurface even when you have not brought them up.

And finally, as you grow older, you will begin to suffer the loss of some of your loved ones. It may especially hurt when your parents die. You have celebrated the holidays with them since you were a child. And now they are gone.

There are some things you can do this season to "recover" from the holidays:

• Lower your expectations. Enjoy your own holidays throughout the year. Let these conventional holidays be the lesser of the joys



• Keep your drinking in check. Excessive drinking can cause you to feel remorse soon after. You do not need anything like that bringing you down



• Watch your spending. Giving is a great spirit to have, but so is responsible management of money. And responsibility is better than recklessness



• Continue getting enough exercise. Getting active can wash away depression after the holidays like a charm. Once you start exercising again you will soon forget most of your troubles. So do not let it lag, but keep it up!



• Get some light therapy. Recent research has shown blue light is great for fighting depression. Natural outside light is bluer than most artificial light. And this is good. While you are outside you will be getting a little exercise.



• Eat right. Go heavy on the protein in the morning. That is the most important time to get it. Lots of protein in the morning is recommended all year round.



• Eat a balanced diet. Holiday meals are notoriously bad for you. And when you eat a few of them and have leftovers, you can easily slip away from your regular healthy eating.



• Take some fish oil or flax oil, especially if you feel a little depressed. These oils have Omega 3 fatty acids which studies have shown fight depression. This natural solution can go a long way in keeping you "up."

When you are sealed you will celebrate much more often. You will have holidays on regular days when nobody else has any reason to celebrate. This is because you are close to God and He will share some of His Joy with you.

But you will have to celebrate the traditional holidays with everyone else. And those are the times you need to watch out. You might go into the holidays feeling great, but coming out of the holidays is not as nice.

When you are sealed God will write His Name upon you. Then you will belong to God and He will give you your joy as well as your health. But when the holidays let you down you can always celebrate with God when you receive the Seal.

And now Jason invites you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian?

And "Get God's Seal of Approval and Get the Victory Over Evil"
Jason Witt

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