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What is Geriatric Depression?
Geriatric depression is a mental health shape affecting the senior that leads to loss of interestingness and feelings of gloominess . allot to the World Health Organization , most quondam adults have good mental wellness , but , still many are at risk of exposure of prepare genial wellness conditions such asdepression.(1 )
agree to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 7 million aged maturate 65 years or above experience depression.(2 )
Geriatric clinical depression can be due to numerous reasons and has dissimilar therapies to treat it .
Causes of Geriatric Depression
The exact cause of natural depression is not known but it is believe to be caused due to some factors . A combining of these element can lead to depression in older adults . According to the National Health Service , these factor include:(3 )
Symptoms of Geriatric Depression
The symptoms of depression vary in people . The vernacular signs and symptom of gerontological depression admit :
A healthcare professional can help in harness out the causes and find effective discussion .
Diagnosis of Geriatric Depression
If the signs and symptoms of depression last for 2 weeks , the doctor may diagnose gerontological depression.(9 )
Before induce a diagnosing , a doctor will take a medical history and use a geriatric depression scale while asking about symptom . He would also enquire about the duration of the symptom .
Physical examination is done and tests are order to rule out any inherent cause before provide treatment .
Treatment of Geriatric Depression
The choice for treating gerontological depression include medication , psychotherapy , and alternative therapies .
Medications
The medico may dictate anti - depressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , serotonin , and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors , monoamine oxidase inhibitor , tricyclic antidepressants , and atypical antidepressant drug .
A soul should have to take a complete course of action of medicine to bring about betterment in symptoms .
Psychotherapy
mental hygiene can be helpful in improving symptoms of geriatric depression.(10)It is also known as lecture therapy and may include interpersonal and cognitive behaviour therapy .
Cognitive behavior therapy may help a person to reckon and behave in fresh ways and alteration habits that may be causing economic crisis .
Interpersonal therapy can also be effectual in treating clinical depression as it helps in identifying and exchange excited challenge that regard humor .
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
If a person does not respond to medicine and psychotherapeutics the doctor may suggest electroconvulsive therapy . It is a shape of mind stimulation using galvanizing electric current that activates the encephalon and treats Great Depression .
A revue regain electroconvulsive therapy to be a good and effective treatment for older adults with depression .
Treatment can bid farseeing - term benefit and can be helpful in alleviating the deterioration of symptom . Without treatment , the episodes can last for several calendar week and even longer . This can diminish the quality of life and increase the danger of suicide .
