Depression is a common disease that is often underestimated and overlooked. Depression goes beyond not feeling well or feeling sad; depression is the constant feeling of sadness and lost interest. Some signs of depression are feeling fatigue on a daily basis, worthless, restless or slowing down. Further signs of depression are insomnia, hypersomnia, feelings of guilt, losing pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable, constant thoughts of suicide and death as well as, losing or gaining large amounts of weight at a time. Depression, a mood disorder, also known as a major depressive disorder or clinical depression that causes persistent negative feelings. It affects how one feels, thinks and behaves, which can lead to a variety of emotional
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The first suicide attempt is the most dangerous in older adults. “Older adults who attempt suicide are weak, frail, lonely from isolation, most likely they have planned out their suicide and are more determined to kill themselves than the younger generation, such as preteens and teens”(Administration on Aging [AOA] and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2012). The older adults are suffering alone and once it becomes overwhelming, they give up on life. Statistics show while sixty percent of the elder communities are suffering from depression only ten percent of that population is …show more content…
People must stay educated on depression and know the key signs so they may detect those in need. Also, the need for people with patience and acceptance is necessary so those in the elder community feel comfortable to come to them with their problems. While depression is misjudged and overlooked in the elder community many older people are suffering from this disease and conceal the fact they are depressed. Consequently, many older adults turn to suicide instead of seeking the treatment they need. There are many resources for those who are depressed such as evidence-based programs, hotlines, therapy, medication and support systems. With every negative aspect of depression, there is a program or system in place to counteract it. In hopes to lower the number of lost lives due to depressed statewide programs are growing in numbers to save those in the elder
The first suicide attempt is the most dangerous in older adults. “Older adults who attempt suicide are weak, frail, lonely from isolation, most likely they have planned out their suicide and are more determined to kill themselves than the younger generation, such as preteens and teens”(Administration on Aging [AOA] and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2012). The older adults are suffering alone and once it becomes overwhelming, they give up on life. Statistics show while sixty percent of the elder communities are suffering from depression only ten percent of that population is …show more content…
People must stay educated on depression and know the key signs so they may detect those in need. Also, the need for people with patience and acceptance is necessary so those in the elder community feel comfortable to come to them with their problems. While depression is misjudged and overlooked in the elder community many older people are suffering from this disease and conceal the fact they are depressed. Consequently, many older adults turn to suicide instead of seeking the treatment they need. There are many resources for those who are depressed such as evidence-based programs, hotlines, therapy, medication and support systems. With every negative aspect of depression, there is a program or system in place to counteract it. In hopes to lower the number of lost lives due to depressed statewide programs are growing in numbers to save those in the elder