Highlands County S.A.L.T Council 424 Fernleaf Ave. Sebring, Florida 33870 Tel: 863-402-7248

DEPRESSION

Depression is an illness that doesn't only affect the mind. It affects the entire body including a person's thoughts, feelings, behavior, physical health and appearance.

Web MD on the Internet has this to say about depression in the elderly.

"Depression is not a normal part of aging, but unfortunately it is very common in the elderly. Recognizing depression in a senior citizen can be difficult because they are less likely to report feelings of sadness and worthlessness. It is often passed off as 'they are just getting old'. Late life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older but only 10% receive treatment. This is likely because the symptoms of depression in the elderly are often confused with the effects of multiple illnesses and medicines used to treat them"

In the year 2000 Highlands County had a population of 93,049. The population over age 60+ was 37,491 or 40%. 10% of that number would be 3,749 and we all know how Highlands County has grown since the year 2000 so it is hard to imagine the number of 65+ at this time but we can rest assured that it's a large number.

Depression can wear a mask and the depressed senior citizen thinks that they are "just tired", "have a sinus headache", or are "just run down".

Senior Citizens must be alert for depression when looking at themselves and their illnesses as well as their family and friends. All too often depression can lead to suicide and after the tragedy so often the signs have been there all along but missed.

What are some signs of depression? The following is quoted from Webmd.

• Certain medicines or combination of medicines
• Other illnesses
• Living alone, social isolation
• Recent bereavement
• Presence of chronic or severe pain
• Damage to body image (from amputation,, cancer surgery, or heart attack)
• Fear of death
• Previous history of depression
• Family history of major depressive disorder
• Past suicide attempt(s)
• Substance abuse"

If you would like to research Depression in the Elderly further, go to www.webmd.com. The information that has been provided by Webmd about Depression in the Elderly has been reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.

Depression is one of the most misdiagnosed illnesses in America . It is estimated that somewhere around 19 million Americans are living with depression.

The information in this article has been taken from Webmd and various other publications on Depression.