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We all get the blues now and then. It's part of life. But there is a big difference between having a bad day and having a bout of depression. According to a Mental Health America survey on attitudes and beliefs about depression, most adults aged 65 and over know little or nothing about depression. When depression strikes, older adults are more likely than any other group to try to "handle it themselves." In fact, only a third of seniors believe that depression is a legitimate health problem, and 58 percent of seniors believe that it is just "normal" for people to get depressed as they grow older.

The truth is that more than two million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older suffer from some form of depression, and it is far from a normal experience. Clinical depression drags on for two weeks or longer, and affects a person's ability to maintain his or her daily routine and social relationships.

It can lead to feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of suicide. Fortunately, clinical depression is a very treatable illness. More than 80 percent of all people with depression can be successfully treated with medication, counseling or a combination of both. There is no reason to suffer.

Here is a list of the most common signs of depression. If these last for more than 2 weeks, see a doctor or mental health professional.


An "empty" feeling, ongoing sadness, and anxiety

Tiredness, lack of energy

Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities, including sex

Sleep problems, including very early morning waking

Problems with eating and weight (gain or loss)

A lot of crying

Aches and pains that just won't go away

A hard time focusing, remembering, or making decisions


Being irritable

Depression and other illnesses often go hand in hand. Symptoms of clinical depression can be triggered by other chronic illnesses common in later life, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, cancer and arthritis. For example, nearly a quarter of the 600,000 people who experience a stroke in any given year will experience clinical depression. It can be hard for a doctor to diagnose depression, but the good news is that people who are depressed can get better with the right treatment.

Where do people go when they need help? Seniors experiencing depressive symptoms would much rather reach out to a primary care physician than a mental health specialist. More than 55 percent of older persons treated for mental health services received care from primary care physicians, while less than 3 percent of seniors received treatment from mental health professionals. Sadly, primary care physicians accurately recognize less than one half of patients with depression, which means it can take longer to understand the problem and get to feeling better. There is a current trend to integrate mental health services with local primary care clinics to increase screening and early intervention for depression.

Depression is a significant predictor of suicide in elderly Americans. Comprising only 13 percent of the U.S. population, seniors account for 20 percent of all suicide deaths, with white males being particularly vulnerable. It's important to get immediate help if you or someone you love is considering suicide. A nationwide hotline is available by calling 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433.

What can be done to lower the risk of depression? How can people cope? There are a few practical steps you can take. One way to prepare for major changes in life, such as retirement or the death of family or friends, is to keep and maintain friendships over the years. Friends can help ease the loneliness of losing a spouse. You can also develop interests or hobbies, keep the mind and body active, and stay in touch with family to help limit the effects of depression. Being physically fit and eating a balanced diet are ways to help avoid illnesses that can bring on disability or depression. Follow the doctor's directions on using medicines to lower the risk of depression as a drug side effect. Seniors have a lot to offer through volunteering, mentoring and helping others in their communities.

The golden years can be just as satisfying and productive as earlier days when you were busy raising a family or building a career. There's no reason to suffer from the effects of depression when help is just a phone call away.