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Depression is no more widespread among old people than it is among
the rest of the population but it is nevertheless a common illness.
A loose tag for a wide range of symptoms which vary from severe apathy
and loss of interest to low self-esteem and suicidal feelings. Depression
is thought to effect up to one in 15 people at some stage in their lives,
ie that number will seek professional medical help for the condition.
Depression has a debilitating effect on old people just at a time when
physically and emotionally they are perhaps less resilient than they
used to be. But it's by no means irreversible among old people any more
than it is for anyone else. If you or a friend or relative are depressed
- as opposed to just feeling a bit down for a day or two - there are
many ways of overcoming it, usually with the help of professionals.
First it's worth looking at one of the main triggers of depression among
old people and possible avenues of recovery.
For old people, different factors tend to precipitate depression than
for younger people. Chronic illness, bereavement and loneliness can
trigger it, as can the marriage of children or the movement of children
to a different part of the country or world. Retirement can also be
a particularly tough blow, seeming to rob people of their value in society's
eyes and to remove a major part of their social life almost overnight.
It also means a sharp drop in income for many people.
All these things sometimes lead to depression. So too can various less
easily defined elements. Some psychiatrists believe there's also a genetic
predisposition to the illness. Either way, the depression may pass fairly
quickly, perhaps in a matter of weeks or months, or take root and become
chronic.
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