SENIOR HEALTH CONNECTION NEWSLETTER December 2012 Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Center Happy Holidays! For most of us, the holidays are a special time of gathering with friends and family. However for some, especially older adults, the holidays may make them feel blue as they miss a spouse, parents, friends, and siblings who have died. Traditional celebrations may not be possible and in their absence the holidays may seem difficult and lonely. It is normal to feel sad in the face of these losses and changes but if family members and friends notice that this "blueness" is lasting for a long time it may be more than just feeling sad and could be a serious case of depression. Recognizing depression is not always easy. It is often difficult for a depressed person to explain how they are feeling. The "older American" came from an era that did not understand depression as a biological illness and they worry that their illness will be seen as a character weakness. Most common symptoms of late-life depression can include; * Persistent sadness * Withdrawal of social activities * Lack of energy * Weight changes * Pacing and fidgeting * Changes in sleep patterns * Starring off into space (or at the television) for prolonged periods of time. * Frequent tearfulness * Feelings of worthlessness and helplessness Depression is treatable. There are many treatments today that are highly effective, in fact, most depressed elderly adults improve dramatically with treatment. Anti-depressant medications can be very effective in treating depression by beneficially affecting the level of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Typically, it takes 4-12 weeks of treatment with anti depressant medication to see results and usually is taken for six months to a year. It is important to take medications in close consultation with your personal physician or psychiatrist. 119