Helping An Older Parent Through Depression

Depression in the elderly comes from the loss of a spouse, as well as independence. An elderly person is faced with many uncertainties to include illness, health insurance, and death. Without a strong support system, depression is inevitable. If not treated, geriatric depression will prevent the individual from living out an enjoyable life. This problem is prevalent and growing, which is why it is important to identify the symptoms and then take appropriate steps to intervene.

Depression As a Disability

Depression is a serious mental illness and affects almost millions all over the world every year. It is common news in the newspapers or on the television about the suicidal rates due to depression is getting higher every year. Depression is a mental disability which affects almost all the daily activities of the sufferer. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness are one of the prime symptoms. It is believed that people with disability have more chances to suffer from depression.

Agitated State With Reactive Depression

Reactive depression is another type of depression which is caused due to the loss of your loved ones or those things that you love the most. Another name for this type of depression is adjustment disorder with various mood swings. It is not as severe as other types of depression and can easily be cured. The signs of this type of depression are same as in the other forms like, Sleeping problem, irritation, poor appetite and social withdrawal etc.

Are You a Victim of Manic Depression

Manic depression can further be classified into two main subtypes. The first sub-type known as bipolar I disorder, ensures that the patient suffers from at least one episode of manic condition after an occurrence or non-occurrence of an episode of depression. On the other hand, the second sub-type of this depression is known as bipolar II disorder. This sub-type, makes you be subjected to at least one episode of depression and at least one episode of hypomanic (a briefer manic condition) condition. However, there exists another rare manic depression condition referred to as Cyclothymia.

Be on the Lookout on Signs of Depression

For cases of young children and adolescents, hostility, grumpiness,temper and general irritability may be the signs of depression. These cases occur due to the fact that these young boys and girls know that they do not have much authority over their lives therefore they try very hard to irritate you so that they catch your much needed attention in order for you to adhere to their needs. In cases where this condition is left unattended, the children may start experiencing unexplained pains and aches that may leave them crying or complaining all the time.

Be Able to Distinguish Between Anxiety and Depression

The problem however arises when there are numerous ways of solving the problem but the brain is not sure which one to pick and use to solve the danger at hand. This situation makes you to feel restless and make you lose your concentration abilities. When this occurs, you are then said to be anxious and most of the time, you will only return to normalcy once the danger is over. On the other hand, when a misfortune befalls you, a hormonal imbalance or a wrong state of mind may occur and this may directly translate into a change of your moods. You may appear gloomy from then hence forth, be subjected to a self-criticism condition, appear pessimistic at all times and always be seen to be sad.

Diagnostic Criteria For Depression

Depression is quite a troubling name for human beings. More than millions of people every year get affected by depression. The affects of depression may vary according to the types of depression. The most troubling forms of depression are major depression or clinical or chronic depression. The criteria for depression depend upon the signs and symptoms of depression, for example (If it is severe the criteria for the diagnosis is different as compared to the mild depression and vice -versa).