Healthy Edge
Suffering from Depression? There is Help.
Imagine the feeling of being trapped in sinking car that has plunged into a dark river -- and you've given up on saving yourself. That's the feeling one in 20 Seniors with late-life depression experience day after day. Often coupled with other symptoms, depression is not a mood you can just shake off; it's a medical condition that alters physiology.
Particularly in Seniors, depression is strongly linked to poorer outcomes when combined with medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, or Parkinson's disease. It causes debilitating physical pain in some and increases Senior's fall risk. Plus, it increases suicide rates in Seniors --especially older, white males.
Although depression is highly dangerous, yet highly treatable, fewer than half of Seniors suffering from this condition receive a correct diagnosis. Far fewer receive treatment.So, why do few Seniors with depression get the care they need?
Dr. Gene Cohen, geriatric psychiatrist at George Washington University, suggests several factors prevent the accurate diagnosis of late-life depression:
Seniors sometimes "do" depression differently than other age groups.
In Seniors, depression can manifest as low self-esteem or pessimism. That is, Seniors with depression may just seem "mopey" or "grumpy." Additionally, late-life depression can cause memory loss that can masquerade as memory dysfunction associated with age or other medical conditions.
Society thinks it's a normal part of aging.
Many Americans (and even some providers) believe that the burden of aging causes depression. On the contrary, the vast majority of Seniors feel they lead happy lives. A new study by the Pew Center named "Growing Old in America: Expectations vs. Reality" shows that happiness rates are constant across every age group.
Depressed Seniors can be really good actors.
Chances are that if you don't live with a Senior with depression you think they're cheerful and positive when you do see them. At doctors' visits, Seniors living with depression can be masters of putting their best foot forward.
Doctors don't ask.
If they're not prompted, many Seniors don't mention to their providers that they feel depressed. A new study by Avalon and colleagues in Psychiatry shows that if doctors simply asked patients "Do you suffer from depression?" doctors would have an 83 percent chance of detecting depression. Bottomline: If you think you're depressed, you probably are; tell your doctor.
How can I get help for myself or a loved one?
Screening for Mental Health(r) is a national, non-profit organization that tries to overcome the above challenges to diagnosis depression and other mental health conditions. Each year, this organization coordinates National Depression Screening Day(r) (NDSD) during Mental Health Awareness Week, the second week of October.
On October 8, more than a thousand sites nationwide will offer anonymous mental health screenings, free-of-charge. Although people of all ages are encouraged to get screened, this year the focus is on Seniors.
Have you been feeling blue or anxious? Do you have unexplainable fatigue and body aches? Your symptoms may be related to depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress.
Make a commitment to visit one of the NDSD sites to take a fast and simple screen for all of these conditions.
Providers will be onsite to talk to you about strategies to minimize stress and anxiety and return the feeling of hope to your life. Each NDSD location will also offer a wide range of educational resources that you can take for yourself or loved ones.
Where will the screenings be held?
Shands Vista will perform screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ayers Medical Plaza, 720 SW 2nd Ave across from Shands AGH.
In conjunction with Rural Health Partnership, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. will provide screenings at their Gainesville location, 4300 SW 13th Street. We are working toward adding more locations in surrounding counties.
For more information about National Depression Screening Day, please call Kevin Coulson of Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. at 352-374-5600 x8218 or call me at the Rural Health Partnership. My number is 352-313-6500 ext. 109.
It's not normal or healthy to suffer from depression at any age, and it's never too late to bring happiness, meaning and hope back to your life again. §
Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is the director of the Rural Health Partnership at WellFlorida Council.
