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SOME FACTS ABOUT AGING
==At the turn of the 20th century, only 3% of the US population was over 65. Now it's at 12%, and projected to be 21% in the next 30 years.
==There aren't a lot of assessments and psychological tests which were normed including individuals over 70 years of age as part of the sample.
==Among the things which Freud thought that haven't held true is a plainout dangerous one. He said psychoanalysis was of no use with people over 50 years of age because they couldn't change.
At the time he lived, not that many people lived past 50.
Times have changed now, and we now that people can change over their lifespan if they want to; and psychoanalysis (which is pretty much gone) isn't necessary for it, anyway.
==People between 60 and 69 are "the most content" of any age group.
==Depression in seniors often presents as physical symptoms (a backache or headache), particularly in "alpha" males.
==Depression in seniors is treatable and it's important to do so. Elderly white men have the second highest rate of suicide, second only to adolescent white males in the US. [Turvey et al, 2002]
The Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is in the public domain and here it is:
1. Are you basically satisfied with your life?
2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?
3. Do you feel that your life is empty?
4. Do you often get bored?
5. Are you in good spirits most of the time?
6. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?
7. Do you feel happy most of the time?
8. Do you often feel helpless?
9. Do you prefer to stay home, rather than going out and doing new things?
10. Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?
11. Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?
12. Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?
13. Do you feel full of energy?
14. Do you think that your situation is hopeless?
15. Do you think that most people are better off than you are?
Count one point for NO answers on 1,5,7,11,13
Count one point for YES answers to 2,3,4,6,8,9,10,12,14,15
5 or below - you are not depressed
6-10 - mild depression
11-15 - significantly depressed
You may not know that there are two ways depression presents.
In LETHARGIC DEPRESSION, the person is tearful, lethargic, exhausted, slow, unable to maintain eye contact, unable to enjoy anything, and wanting to sleep all the time OR in "agitated" depression, where he or she is angry, restless, irritable, eyes are darting, they frantically try to enjoy things (but don't), and they are able to sleep very little.
Men generally will talk about physical problems such as a backache or chest pains.
Physical symptoms should of course be investigated with a medical history and exam, especially finding out all the medications the person may be on, as well as their daily routine. Nutritional disorders, metabolic and electrolyte imbalances are more likely to exist in seniors, and medication can have an exaggerated effect.
Depression usually responds best to a regime of exercise, medication, and cognitive therapy, or changing beliefs and thinking patterns, and coaching for forward movement. See my ebooks, "EQ's Answer to Depression," and "Changing Self-Limiting Beliefs".
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