What Are the Causes of Depression in Senior Citizens

Depression or even cases of suicide are not uncommon amongst senior citizen populations. In many cases depression is caused by feelings of uselessness, or feeling that they are not as important to those around them as they once were. Other life changes may also cause bouts of depression such as retirement, death of the spouse, unresolved family disputes or extreme isolation and loneliness.

Death of the Spouse

• When a married couple has spent the majority of their lives together and have shared a wide array of life experiences, there is a very strong bond that ties the two together. When one of the members of the relationship passes, the surviving member may feel that a part of herself has been taken away. This absence may be accompanied by strong feelings of emptiness and a dampened will to continue carrying out daily activities.

Retirement

• After having carried out a job function over a course of a lifetime, retirement can come as a shock. During retirement the daily routine does not exist and the elderly person may feel that his purpose in life or his contribution to humanity has been carried out. In order to thwart such feelings some retirees take up a hobby or get a second career that they may be able to perform with minimal effort.

Family Disputes

• Unresolved problems with loved ones can also be a cause of depression in the elderly. These can be in the form of inheritance disputes with siblings or issues that have developed with their children. As the end of life nears, feelings of guilt or resentment that may be associated with these disputes and leaving them unresolved can exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Fear of Death

• For many individuals the idea of dying is difficult to fathom. Since the notion of life after death is often clouded by spiritual beliefs and cultural norms there may exist some doubt or fear as to what happens to the posthumous soul. Some individuals find it horrifying to accede to the possibility of no life after death, which may give way to feelings of desperation and angst. Fortunately, sufferers can ease their symptoms or learn how to deal with them in a more rational manner by participating in death counseling.

Effective Treatment

• Author Edward Post and his colleagues suggest that using a technique known as Interpersonal Psychotherapy (ITP) is quite effective in helping senior citizens manage depression. This type of therapy focuses on specific challenges of aging as related to the individual's role identities. These may be caused by life changes, conflicts or interpersonal issues left unresolved. However, the researchers warn that this treatment alone may not be sufficient for the most serious cases and is recommended in conjunction with other therapies.