Depression and Its Negative Effects on an Older Adult Essay

Depression is one of the most recurrently investigated psychological disorders within the area of medical R&D (Montorio & Izal, 1996). A number of exhaustive researches have been carried out to study its symptoms and impacts on different patients belonging to different personal and professional attributes and most of these researchers depicted that depression in the elderly people is very frequent and in spite of number of researches in this context, it is often undiagnosed or untreated. To add to this jeopardy, it has also been estimated that only 10% out of the total depressed elderly individuals receive proper diagnosis and treatment (Holroyd et al, 2000). And for that reason, an authentic

Jensen, H. V., Munk, K. P., & Madsen, S. A. (2010). Gendering late-life depression? The coping process in a group of elderly men. Nordic Psychology, 62(2), 56-80. The purpose of this article. is to study the influences in the presentation of signs and symptoms of depression. This was done by observing the relationship between depressive symptoms in elderly men and analyzing by what means these men discuss, interpret, and the cope to stress. This study interviewed 8 elderly men, between the ages of sixty-six and eighty-nine, who were previously diagnosed with late-life depression. “The increase in suicide rates in older men poses a serious challenge in terms of better detection and diagnosis of depression, as the increase could suggest that there are a number of aging, depressive men who are not diagnosed and therefore remain untreated

The purpose of this research is to review factors that trigger elderly depression states, their physical and mental health conditions,

Depression is prevalent in later life with serious negative outcomes leading to further disability, higher health costs, and mortality (Hoeft, Hinton, Liu, & Unutzer, 2016). Chronic conditions such as cancer, heart failure, pulmonary and Parkinson’s diseases are significant risk factors for late life depression (Wu, Schimmele, & Chappelle, 2012). Delivering quality comprehensive care to older adults with chronic disease and depression is often a complex and challenging task, and thus, academic preparation for these situations is an important goal.

Older adults are at a stage in life where they have to come to terms with their “inevitable decline” (Gladding, pg. 301). Older adults may suffer from “loneliness, fear and loss” (Gladding, pg. 302). They have been facing “chronic health problems that require increased attention” (Gladding, pg. 302). Many older people have difficulty transitioning to a “retirement lifestyle and long for their professional roles” (302). Many elderly also experience “limited socialization and interpersonal activities” (Gladding, pg. 303). Depression “affects 121 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of disability” (Pépin, Guérette, Lefebvre & Jacques, pg. 117).

It is not surprising that with the growing rate of the older population, there are more being diagnosed with depression. This age group of individuals has experienced life’s hardships and the more loss that is incurred in a shorter time span the greater the chance that the stress of life and limited coping strategies for this amount of strain leads to more and more depression in elderly people. Maybe this study will encourage more communities to offer assistance and empower the elderly before they reach depression

With the older population rapidly increasing in the United States, depression has become a common mental health issue (McDonnall, 2009). Depression is known as a psychiatric disorder that may recur within 3 years in older people. This type of disorder has emotional effects such as loss of interest for activities, irritability, and/or withdrawal from socializing with family and friends. There are also psychosocial factors that correlate with depression in older adults. Examples may include bereavement, prior depression, sleep problems, etc. This paper will display risks factors related to depression, the impact of depression, a treatment option, an evaluative method/technique, and a way to improve depression. The following seven article reviews

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “older adults are at an increased risk of depression, because depression is more common in people who have other illnesses, and 80% of older adults have a chronic condition” (CDC, 2017). The CDC also mentions that older adults are often misdiagnosed or undertreated, because the symptoms may be thought to be the cause of something else, or the patient doesn’t understand that treatment would be beneficial and do not seek help.

Mental disorders are becoming more prevalent in today's society as people add stress and pressure to their daily lives. The elderly population is not eliminated as a candidate for a disorder just because they may be retired. In fact, mental disorders affect 1 in 5 elderly people. One would think that with disorders being rather prevalent in this age group that there would be an abundance of treatment programs, but this is not the case. Because the diagnosis of an individual's mental state is subjective in nature, many troubled people go untreated regularly (summer 1998). Depression in the elderly population is a common occurrence, yet the diagnosis and treatment seem to slip

Men and women aged 65 years or older are referred to as the geriatric population. This population is the fastest growing population in the world; in fact, the current number of seniors in the U.S. exceeds 40 million. As people live longer, the elderly population is expected to reach 72 million by 2030. Medical professionals receive very little training when it comes to the mental health of seniors, which is concerning since the age group with the highest rate of suicide is the geriatric population. Caregivers and medical professionals know the signs that indicate depression. While medication may be necessary, there are other ways a caregiver can assist a patient who is experiencing depression until his or her medication takes effect.

Many studies have looked at the effects of a significant family disruption and/or a low socioeconomic status and how it would have lasting effects on the children and how it related to their behavioral and psychological health as an adult. These issues include delays in cognitive development which could eventually lead to adult depression. While this is an important study, I feel the adult depression could be avoided if the individual went to see a professional to deal with their issues before they became unmanageable and turned into depression and possibly other mental health issues as an adult.

Older adults is defined here as any persons over the age of 65. Recent estimates indicate that from eight to 20% of community dwelling older adults experience depression, as do 17%-35% of primary care patients (Gallo & Lebowitz, 1999). Here depression is defined and measured as either a clinical syndrome or as a set of depressive symptoms. Clinical syndrome refers to an individuals symptoms being present for two or more consecutive weeks and displaying at least five symptoms, as well as having a change from usual function. Depressive symptoms as defined in the DSM IV (2000)

Though depression and anxiety are common throughout the life cycle; depression and older age have commonly been associated with one another (Mulsant, 1998). Unfortunately, many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. After years of planning, dreaming, and expecting the golden years to be the highlight of one 's life, the increased number of stressors related to aging causes feelings of depression.

In an effort to learn about the process of aging, especially depression and suicide among older adults and what it means to someone who is considered an older adult, I interviewed a man who is in his sixty-six years old age. His name is Hayk, born and raised in Armenia and emigrated to the United States when he was in his 35 years. At that time, he was married and had 3 kids to take care of. According to his stories, he had a very difficult life in the united states. He worked two jobs in order to earn enough to support his family. The presence was his gain of all those years of hard work. Armenians are more traditional and family oriented people. They want to have many children so that they would have somebody to care for them when they became old. Family and community support and the wisdom that comes with life experience are the factors that lead them through an aging process in which they can feel enriched and fulfilled.

Aging is an occurrence we are all familiar with, a trait characteristic of all mankind. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 's, the elderly population will more than double between now and the year 2050. By 2050, as many as 1 in 5 Americans will be elderly; and as the United States elderly population increases, so does the need for diverse health care (National Institute of Health, 2003). Moreover, it is estimated that 18 to 25 percent of elder adult are in need of mental health care for depression.