What Are the Best Treatments for Elderly Depression
Depression for the elderly usually lasts longer than it does for younger people. It’s often brought on from the patient already suffering from other illnesses as well. Elderly depression can be a devastating to thing to go through or see a loved one struggle through. The symptoms aren’t unlike that of depression for others and the treatment isn’t to far different as well. The signs for noticing elderly depression in others is pretty easy to spot when the causes are apparent.
Women have a higher tendency to develop depression in their later years, especially if they are single. Another trigger for depression is having been divorced or being widowed. Mass amounts of stress, possibly from medical problems later in life can bring depression about rather quickly. And a small social circle that keeps decreasing may also be a cause.
Today’s world for dealing with diseases, including depression, always seems to turn to drugs. New prescription drugs that help deal with depression are being approved nearly every day by the FDA. The elderly population usually has a few pills to be taken about once a day to help with certain factors in their body. That is why taking antidepressants at such a late age can be dangerous, the risk of it not agreeing with another medication.
On the whole antidepressants for the elderly can be just as effective. It’s the side effects that need to be taken into account, as they should with any other drug. A couple drugs that have been used to subside depressants for a while include amitriptyline and imipramine. However, these two drugs have been known to cause feelings of drowsiness which can lead to full sedations. Also the drugs can cause mass amounts of confusion which can lead to the patient trying to walk about. A severe drop in blood pressure has been known to happen and upon standing up the patient crumbles to the floor, resulting in bad injuries.
Treatment for older people takes longer in general, this why small doses of antidepressants are prescribed at first. The body of elder is far weaker and with all the other medicines they may be taking, antidepressants can be harmful possibly deadly for them. On the other hand there are better ways to seek treatment for the elderly population who suffer from depression.
When deciding which route to go with the healing process for the elderly it’s always better to consider family support over the drug route. While antidepressants can be helpful, they can also act as a numbing tool towards the pain rather than exterminating with it. In the long run it is harder for the elderly to get over their depression so late in life.
Elderly with moderate symptoms have benefitted much more from psychotherapy rather than antidepressants. If they are just dealing with the loss of friends or family, it can be easier for them to cope with. This is true especially if other family members are involved. Like most psychotherapy, it can help the elderly actually converse about what they are feeling. This is useful in getting all the info out there they need to and the therapist and rest can begin to see why they are depressed. It can be a long process but it’s a much healthier and safer route to go. The elders can feel they are in a safe environment and that there are people there who want to help them get better and be around for a long time.