|
Many people mistakenly think depression is a normal part of aging since senior citizens often lose their friends and family or suffer from health problems and boredom during retirement. But mental health experts agree: Depression is not a normal part of aging.
According to recent studies, one in five of us will have a mood disorder at some time in our lives. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Clinical Depression is a disease and it's quite treatable. Unfortunately, senior citizens are the least likely to seek help for depression.
If you or someone you know has been feeling sad, lonely or hopeless for more than two weeks, it's time to see a doctor. Ask your family doctor for a depression screening.
More About Depression and Cognitive Health
Twenty percent of Americans age 55 and older experience mental disorders that are not part of "normal" aging. These mental health challenges include depression, anxiety disorders, and dementia including Alzheimer's disease which can severely affect an older adult's quality of life.
Depression
Depression is the most common mental health challenge and comes in many forms– major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) are just a few. These are physical diseases, caused by chemical and neurological abnormalities in the brain. In contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, grief, loss, or passing mood states, none of the above mentioned forms of depressive symptoms are a normal part of aging.
According to information provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, because depression often co-occurs with other serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, both health care professionals and their senior patients may mistakenly conclude that depression is a normal consequence of these problems. Thus depressive disorders in older people may be ignored. Depression can and should be treated when it occurs. Many effective therapies are available. If left untreated, depression can delay recovery from or worsen the outcome of other co-occurring chronic illnesses, increase disability and seriously impair enjoyment of life.
Cognitive Health
This is another aspect of mental functioning that refers to maintaining and improving mental skills such as learning, memory, decision-making, and planning. Information provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states although one in four older adults experience "forgetting," cognitive decline, such as dementia or senility is not a normal part of healthy aging. Normal changes in a majority of adults usually mean a slower pace of learning and the need for new information to be repeated. On the other hand approximately 6-10 percent of adults over the age of 65 have dementia; two-thirds of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease. Although research has not found a way to prevent dementia or Alzheimer's, recent research suggests that being physically active, controlling hypertension, and engaging in social activities may help you maintain and improve your cognitive health.
Information Resources
It is important to learn about, understand and know the facts about depression and mental health issues at any age. The links below provide information about mental health issues for older adults.
Community Resources
These agencies will be able to answer questions about mental health issues and link you to community services in your area.
Community Mental Health Services of Livingston County
www.cmhliv.org
Information: (517) 546-4126
Emergency Services: (800) 615-1245
Macomb County Community Mental Health
www.macombcountymi.gov/communitymentalhealth
Information: (586) 948-0222
Crisis Services: (586) 307-9100
Monroe Community Mental Health Authority
www.monroecmha.org
Information: (734) 243-7340
Emergency Services: (800) 886-7340
Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority
www.occmha.org
Information: (800) 231-1127
Crisis Services: (800) 231-1127
St. Clair County Community Mental Health
www.scccmh.org
24 Hour Hotline: (888) 225-4447
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
www.ewashtenaw.org/government/
departments/community_mental_health/index_html
Information: 1 (800) 440-7548
Emergency Services: (734) 996-4747
Detroit/Wayne County Community Mental Health
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/
community_mental_health/index_html
Information: (888) 355-5433
Emergency Services: (866) 289-2641
Article contributed by Vicki Suder, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority
|
