Most people do not know this, but depression is one of the top mental health issues for the elderly. It comes from many different things such as medical issues, mobility issues, mental health issues, and even from some medications. Depression also can stem from the environment that surrounds the elderly person. Seniors who are alone or who are put in the nursing home are among the top of the list for those suffering with it.
When a person gets up there in years, they start to think about their health issues, the things they cannot do anymore, and wondering how much time they have left on this Earth. People who have lost their spouse or do not have someone there to help them, can cause the person to become depressed. Without the proper treatment, it can cause more health problems or even cause them to commit suicide. But there are treatments out there designed to help the elderly person with their anxiety and depression.
A few things that could help are physical activity which seems strange but has been known to help. Increasing your activities can not only help your body physically, but also mentally bringing your mood back to a positive one. Peer group education is another treatment that has had success. It is when a group of seniors with the same issues are talked to by someone who is going through the same thing. They share what has helped and what hasn’t with depression. Just being there talking to someone who has gone through the same things, has shown improvement in depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good treatment for depression because it shows the person how to change their way of thinking about their situation. It can be hard for the elderly to get to these appointments or it can make them a little uncomfortable being there. So they have come up with a step-care treatment where the elderly person can do the therapy over the phone, via the internet, or in person at their home if they cannot or do not want to go to the therapist office. It is also designed where they can increase or decrease the intensity of the sessions.
If you or someone you know is dealing with depression, whether elderly or not, make sure to find resources that can help you. Do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Many Americans suffer with depression when they do not have to because they are ashamed, feeling like there is something wrong with them. However, there is nothing wrong with you other than the chemicals in your brain sending the signals for depression.
There is hope and treatments out there for you that can bring you back to your normal self. I, myself, have depression and I am working on getting healthier. It can take time and it may never go away completely, but treatments can help you live a great life despite the depression. Mental health should be like any other health problem and should not be considered as something weird or bad. We are all just people who go through things that are tough. We want to live a normal happy life but cannot do it on our own. Life is hard and we have to
Life is hard and we have to make the most of the time we have on this planet. So, be your best self and find your happiness where ever you can find it. Take time for self-care and remember to love yourself.