Depression in The Elderly is Trealable (NAPS)—Depression is not a normal part of aging, according te research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NDMH). Warning signals family andfriends should look for include chronic sleep problems and inability te rest, excessive worrying, increasing dependency, with- drawal from friends, hypochondria and complaints of chronic aches or pains that cannot be attributed to otherdisorders. “Family members are the key in getting elders into treatment, because too often elders don’t recognize depression in thernselves,” points out Dr. Charles Reynolds, director of the Late Life Depression Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh, one of three Intervention Research Centers supported by NIMH. In addition, he said, many senior citizens will not discuss mental health problems with their doctors because they don’t want the term “depression” associ-~ ated with them. With chnical depression in the elderly comes a far more serious threat-—-suicide. The highest rates of suicide are among the elderly, particularly white men ages 80 to 85, says Dr. Reynolds. Getting the proper treatment for a depressed elder is vital to prevent depression from getting worse. Yet only one in six elders with clinical depression gets diagnosed and treated for the illness, according to an updated NIH consensus develop- ment statement. For a free brochure about depression and its treatment cail NIMBH at 1-800-421-4211. The steps te handling depres- gion are easy to remember for both seniors and their loved ones: * Recognize that depression is not a normal part of aging, and take symptoms seriously. Seek information from individuals and organizations experienced in helping the elderly. Mobilize social support from relatives and friends. * Most importantly, get treated promptly. Free brochures on depression and its treatment are available by calling NIMHat 1-800-421-4211 or on the Internet at www.nimh. nih. gow/publicat/depoldermenu.cfm. A paraphiet on depression by NIH’s National Institute on Aging is also online at www.nih.gov/nia/ health/agepages/depresti. btm.
