"Why don't my children care about me anymore?" "Has everyone forgot about me?" "Am I no longer important to my family?" These types of negative questions are typically a manifestation of depression among the senior citizen population, especially in America. According to this recent article "approximately 6 million American age 65 and older suffer from depression. Among them, only 10 percent receive proper treatment." Typical symptoms of depression include sadness, fillings of guilt, insomnia, social withdrawal, inability to enjoy activities that were once pleasurable, aches and pains, and suicidal thoughts, to name a few. There are many factors that can trigger depression, such as social isolation, death of loved ones, and dealing with health problems. Sad to say, many senior citizens suffer needlessly, due to not seeking professional help. Depression IS a treatable condition--which is the good news.
I will be discussing the psychological aspects of aging, and why I believe depression is increasingly common among senior citizens. Then, I will discuss some of the factors that I deem triggers of depression in the senior citizen community. Lastly, I will talk about preventative measures that senior citizens can take in combating depression before it occurs. Some proactive measures for combating depressions include practicing healthy thoughts/behaviors, regularly engaging in social activities, and living with a purpose, to name a few.
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This is a pretty interesting topic that relates in some ways to my own concentration of the quarter-life crisis. Why in particular did you hone in on the aspect of depression? I had no idea that it was so great an issue amongst the elderly. In respect to the medicinal aspect of combating depression, I think it might be interesting to note how the use of medication in general has increased over the years. It seems as though nowadays people are taking prescription drugs for everything from the common cold to Attention Deficit Disorder. Are the medications truly necessary to the alleviation of depression amongst the elderly, or are there more preventative, natural measures that may be taken to respond to the spike in depression?
ReplyDeleteI really like this topic because i think that it is a very pertinent issue right now. One of my deepest fears of getting older is that sense of isolation--being alone and almost a chore for your family to visit seems extremely depressing. To counter what Carolyn said in the above post, I think that it is ironic that we have measures to help alleviate depression in the elderly, and yet the elderly refuse to take advantage of them because of the way they were raised. I saw this in my grandmother as she aged as she refused to anti-depressants or therapy, believing that she could "buck up" and face her issues on her own. I think attempting to change this mentality would be a huge step in combatting depression, or attempting to lessen it, in the elderly because then they wouldn't feel like they had to deal with the issue on their own.
ReplyDeleteI hate to regurgitate what the crowd has said but I really do like this topic. I think the reason why so many of us are drawn to it is because depression is so common among teens in the U.S. today that it’s scary to think how impactful and prevalent this disorder will be in our generation's old age. One angle you might think of taking is to discuss the commonality of depression between genders--are males more likely to be the self-conscious ones worrying about their fading six packs, or is it females gnawing their nails about turning the thirties corner and still being single? It’s just a thought to consider though. Good luck in your research.
ReplyDeleteI like this topic a lot. It reminds me as well of an article someone posted on a few weeks back about how elderly are particularly resistant to forms of care and intervention when it comes to depression. There is a stigma associated with depression and mental illness that marks a different era, a different way of thinking. Today, mental illness is taken much more seriously, and medication for such illness is absolutely ordinary.
ReplyDeleteThe key, I think, is that the elderly are not more depressed than other age groups--they're simply more resistant to treatment, which can exacerbate the condition. In fact, I read an article recently that discussed how the elderly are, in general, a happier age-group than middle-aged folks, which seems to be a low point. So this is a fascinating coincidence of a generally less depressed age group whose bouts of depression are actually more severe and isolating due to a certain cultural resistance to treatment among the aged.
I would be curious how this discussion fits into debates about ageism and cultural assumptions about what it meant to grow old. This seems like a fascinating medical and cultural inquiry.
I totally agree with you! Ever since my grandmother passed away, my grandfather has had to don a joyous mask for his friends and family. He continues to go through his weekly routines of working part-time, grocery shopping, golfing, and chores just like he had when his wife was still present. I'm pretty sure he thinks that he's succeeding at fooling his loved ones that he is coping with his loss well; but by putting up with false front, he is denying reality and giving himself false hope. This false hope could end up biting him back when reality does hit him. I know he grieves privately, but I'm concerned that his inability to express his feelings to the people that love him will extend and intensify his mourning. I'd love to hear your argument and possible suggestions on how to rectify elderly depression so I can help my grandfather lead a fulfilling life.
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