Holiday Blues

Older adults can have an especially hard time with the holidays. There are many causes. The loss of an important person in the last year, or the anniversary of a loss or traumatic event can make memories come back that can dampen spirits. Family misunderstandings and conflicts can intensify — especially if it's all thrust together for several days. Conflicts are bound to arise with so many different personalities, needs and interests. On the other hand, if he or she is facing the holidays without a loved one, he may be especially lonely or sad.

Not being able to do what they used to do in years past can be difficult to handle as an elder may be "stuck" on looking at what they used to do during the holiday season. It can be hard to cope with the reality that a six course dinner for twelve isn't feasible anymore.

For some people, holidays are a source of stress. Falling into the trap of becoming isolated by limitations or leaning on fantasies of how holidays should be can lead to depression and can be avoided.

Elders can anticipate the stressful periods of the holiday by preparing ahead for the people and situations that create stress. Keep in mind that taking care of oneself is a gift to everyone else because everyone ends up having a happier and healthier holiday. Encourage your loved one to take some time this holiday to do a little pampering, give a gift to themself. Treat him or her to a foot bath and massage with nicely scented soap.

Develop new traditions. Space events throughout the holiday season. Take your loved one for a ride to enjoy Christmas lights. Have your parent help wrap presents. Write out Christmas cards together while listening to Christmas music. Watch a favorite Christmas movie together.

While the feeling of the blues may vanish once the holidays are over, it is possible that your loved one is experiencing true depression. Click on the key word "Depression" to go to other posts about depression.

More Than "The Blues"

Depression is a common illness, yet few sufferers are properly diagnosed. This is especially true for the depressed elderly. Many people from the generation of the Great Depression and prior were indoctrinated with the philosophy that you just have "to pull up your boot straps and move on".

Everyone experiences changes in mood, ranging from minor frustrations to the grief that accompanies a major loss. Someone who is clinically diagnosed with depression experiences changes in behavior that interferes with the ability to manage every day activity, feel pleasure, or maintain interest and ability to concentrate is not a simple case of the “blues.” It is an illness that doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals have made great progress in understanding and treating.

Aging itself does not cause depression, but many conditions that occur among the elderly can contribute to its cause. Some of these are:

• Diseases that produce chronic pain, disability, dependence on others to perform routine tasks due to the disabling illness, little social contact with others, and fear

• Some medications, such as steroids and those for the treatment of hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes may have the side effect of depression, although this does not occur for most people

• The loss of friends and family may create a continual mourning process contributing to feelings of loneliness and isolation

• Keeping fears and negative feelings “bottled up,” due to the fact that many parents grew up in an era when expressing these feelings was not acceptable

Depression is usually a treatable illness. Talk with your parent’s or your own physician about your concerns. They can suggest an appropriate professional for diagnosis. Treatment may include counseling sessions, medication, and a supportive family.

Migraines, Restless Leg Syndrome and Depression May Be Associated

Migraines may be associated with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), according to results of a study conducted in Germany. The cause may be with a chemical imbalance of dopamine in the brain. The occurence of Restless Leg Syndrome increases to a peak at age 65 years and then decreases. Family history is seen in 50% of patients with Restless Leg Syndrom and family history is also prevalent for patients with migraine. Patients with migraine are three times more likely to have depression. Depression has also been associated with Restless Leg Syndrome.

In this study, patients with migraine and RLS were older and had longer length to each migraine episode. They also had a higher score on depression scales. The authors concluded that there was an association between RLS and migraine and a possible co-association with depression.

Older persons with depression rarely seek treatment for the illness. Unrecognized and untreated depression may result in suicide if untreated. The highest rate of suicide in the US is among older white men.

Symptoms in older persons may differ somewhat from symptoms in other populations. Depression in older people often appears as memory problems, confusion, social withdrawal, loss of appetite, inability to sleep, irritability, and, in some cases, delusions and hallucinations. Older depressed individuals often have severe feelings of sadness, but these feelings frequently are not acknowledged or openly shown. Sometimes, when asked if they are "depressed", the answer from persons suffering from depression is "no".

More older adults are apt to seek treatment for physical ailments than they are with symptoms of depression alone. Restless leg syndrom and migraines may be the reason an individual will seek medical treatment.

As a caregiver, it is helpful to point out the symptoms of depression, if seen, to assist the doctor in prescribing treatment for the entire list of symptoms of migraines, RLS, and depression. Treatment protocols often include a combination of drugs to treat coexisting conditions.

Source : Reuters Health Information