Depression is Treatable!

by Joyce Remy

The first step in reversing a depression is recognizing or diagnosing it. Depression can become disabling if not properly treated. All too often, people are resistant to the idea that they might have a true depression, feeling that somehow they should just be able to handle whatever is troubling them and get a better attitude. But depression is an illness that results from a chemical imbalance in the brain, and it can respond successfully to treatment.

A thorough exam by a physician or other qualified professional is the first step. The goals of such an evaluation typically include:

• Ruling out the possibility of other medical disorders.
• Reviewing all medications for possible side effects.
• Identifying the cause of the depression.
• Determining appropriate treatment options.

Just as depression can be brought on by other physical or medical conditions, it may also resemble other illnesses. For example, many symptoms of depression, such as memory lapses, problems with concentration, lack of energy, or loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities, are sometimes mistaken for Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. It's very important to consult a professional in identifying and treating the clinical signs of depression.

What Treatments Exist for Depression?

Although clinical depression affects many older adults, it should not be accepted as just another part of the aging process. Sometimes people are hesitant to talk about depression or to have it diagnosed and treated. But treating depression can make a significant difference in a person's health in general and overall quality of life. Treatments can include one or more of the following:

Good Self-Care

If you are experiencing signs of depression, it is most important to take good care of yourself. Here are some simple first steps:

• Make special times with family and friends. Talk with them about what you are feeling if you can, or simply enjoy just being around them. We all need support from people who care about us.
  
  
• Make time for activities you enjoy. Think about the activities you have enjoyed in the past: hobbies, reading, music. Plan to do those things even if you don't feel good. It will be worth it!
  
  
• Confront negative thoughts. Depression leads people to think negative thoughts about themselves. Depression also brings guilt, making people feel bad about events in the past. Work to change negative thoughts into positive ones.
  
  
• Increase physical activity! Exercise itself raises the levels of the brain's neurochemicals and will make you feel better quickly. It also increases the body's natural pain killers (endorphins) and so will help alleviate pain. And, exercise makes people feel good about themselves. (See the July 2004 issue of Seniors Digest for more about the positive effects of exercise.)

Counseling

Talking with a mental health professional may help identify the stressors that have led to depression, aid in developing strategies to get rid of those stresses, and provide you with support as you learn to take care of yourself. Counseling may also enable you to begin changing negative thought patterns and develop better coping skills.

Many older adults avoid counseling. There is a generational attitude of keeping one's problems to oneself, not asking for help. Self-sufficiency is a good thing, but when it keeps you from getting the help you need to feel better, it is a misplaced virtue. You want to make the best of your life, and be able to enjoy these years. Get the help that will allow you to dispel your depression as quickly as possible.

Medications

Anti-depressant medications work by helping your brain makes its normal neurochemicals again. These medications can help with sleep, improve energy, and reduce anxiety and negative thoughts, allowing you to feel like yourself. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find exactly the right medicine for a given person; everyone is different. But almost everyone can find a medication that will help restore his or her own natural chemical balance.

Remember, depression is a very treatable illness!

The first steps in treatment are recognizing the symptoms and looking for the cause. Don't delay in discussing these things with a health care professional if any of the symptoms rings a bell for you or your family member. Living with depression is no fun and no one has to just live with it. Practice good self-care every day, and if symptoms of depression persist, see a counselor and/or talk with your doctor about medication.

See "Links You Can Use" for more online resources and information about diagnosing and treating depression.