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Depression is no part of the ageing process.
When ageing, you encounter many changes in your life, such as the loss of a beloved one, or a declining health. It is perfectly natural for such experiences to lead to certain emotions, such as grief and bleakness. However, those feelings of dejection must not keep on lasting. If they do, then it is a matter of depression. About 5% of all people over 65 years of age, are suffering from some sort of depression. It is important that this disease is treated, if not, it may lead to suicide eventually.
Sorrow does not equal depression
When a beloved person dies, it is normal to be sad. Also when you are no longer able to do certain things due to, for instance, physical restrictions, you may feel sad. Many people find support in self-help groups where they can speak to people with similar experiences. Only when the grief keeps on lasting and you keep on lingering in a depressed mood, measures must be taken. The duration of the mourning process, however, is different with everyone. Therefore, you must give the wounds enough time to heal, before you go and seek help.
Untreated depression may lead to suicide
Depression is an important cause for committing suicide, especially with elderly people. In America, about 13% of the population is older than 65 years, but that group represents 20% of all suicides. The suidicide rate is even ten times higher than the average with people over 85 years. Therefore, if someone of your friends or family expresses suicidal thoughts, you must always take them seriously.
Depression can concur with other diseases
Chronic diseases, such as cancer or diabetes, can in time cause symptoms of depression. Of course, it is not evident to cope with a severe illness. Yet, it must not result in a depressed state of mind. It is worth mentioning that when the depression is being treated, the other disease symptoms improve as well.
Depression cannot be solved on your own
Some elderly people think they are too old to be helped. They may be too proud to speak about their problems. Others think that they can deal with it themselves and that they do not need help. Or they think their depression will disappear on its own. That is a fallacy, because speaking about your depression with friends or relatives is the first step to recovery.
Family or friends must help their beloved from time to time
Typical of depression is that depressed people often do not find the strength, nor the motivation to seek help. That is where friends or family need to step in by expressing their concern and by helping to look for help. Supervising the treatment itself is important as well, because a depressed person tends to forget his medication or to break off the treatment.
Bach flowers are a very good and harmless way to treat depression. Should you want to know more, click “depression”.
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