depression

In today’s post on Depression Later in Life, I will focus on the fact that depression is treatable.

Most depressed elderly people can improve dramatically from treatment. In fact, there are highly effective treatments for depression in late life.  Some treatment prescribed by physicians include:

• Psychotherapy
• Antidepressant medications
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Antidepressants work by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the brain.  Neurotransmitters are the brain’s “messengers.” Many feelings, including pain and pleasure, are a result of the neurotransmitters’ function.  When the supply of neurotransmitters is imbalanced, depression may resul.

A frequent reason some people do not respond to antidepressant treatment is because they do not take the medication properly.  Missing doses or taking more that the prescribed amount of the medication compromises the effect of the antidepressant.  Similarly, stopping the medication too soon often results in a relapse of depression.  In fact, most patients who stop taking their medication before four to six months after recovery will experience a relapse of depression.

Usually, antidepressant medication is taken for a least six months to a year.  Typically, it takes four to twelve weeks to begin seeing results from antidepressant medication.  If after this period of time the depression does not subside, the patient should consult his or her physician.  Antidepressant drugs are not habit-forming or addictive. And because depression is often a recurrent illness, it usually is necessary to stay on the medication for six months after recovery to prevent new episodes of depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment that unnecessarily evokes fear in many people.  In reality, ECT is one of the most safe, fast-acting and effective treatments for severe depression.  It can be life saving.  ECT often is the best choice for the person who has a life-threatening depression that is not responding to antidepressant medication or for the person who cannot tolerate the medication.

After a thorough evaluation, a physician will determine the treatment best suited for a person’s depression.  The treatment of depression demands patience and perseverance fore patient and the physician.  Sometimes several different treatments must be tried before full recovery.  Each person has individual biological and psychological characteristics that require individualized care.

In tomorrow’s final post on Depression Later in Life, I will discuss caring for the depressed person.

Elayne Forgie has been a professional geriatric care manager for over 20 years and was a founding Board Member of the Florida Geriatric Care Managers Association. She is the President/CEO of ElderCare at Home, Inc. and The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center. Information on this website or contained in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider.