Depression Among the Elderly

Velma Cozzutto is an 80-year-old woman who submitted a manuscript for one of the papers I edit. She lives on the other side of the continent from me, yet she discovered that a couple she knows are acquaintances of my parents, which we both found pretty amazing. She sent me a book she wrote, Common Sense & Common Ground, which is a collection of columns she wrote for a newspaper in Aberdeen, Washington, which gave me a fresh thought. Frequently readers write to me and say, "Oh, you have put something into words for me. Now I know that I am not alone."

In the introduction to her book, Velma writes, "What I cherish most in these years of interacting with my community through these columns is that most comforting of all discoveries, that I am not alone. In various ways, so many of you have let me know I am simply saying for you what you would say if you were in my place."

I thought, "Oh, yes, it does work both ways, doesn't it?" So I am not alone either, in my feelings, reactions and experiences - and sometimes my opinions. (Although I appreciate hearing from people who have an opposing point of view, too.)

So, realizing we are not alone helps us feel connected to others. The opposite of that is when we feel isolated, alone, and like no one cares. This is when feelings of despondency and depression can creep in. I've been particularly concerned about depression among the older population: 25 percent of all suicides occur among the elderly, while they make up only 13 percent of the population. The rate has risen in recent years and elderly males commit suicide 13 times more frequently than females. Finally, they have a higher "success" or completion rate. Among youth ages 15-24, there is one suicide for every 100-200 attempts, while for persons over the age of 65, there is one completed suicide for every four attempts.(See the Elderly Suicide Fact Sheet,http://hospice.hypermart.net/elderly.html)

And of course, many elderly suffer from depression who don't ever attempt suicide.

Even though many elderly suicide victims have seen their doctor within one week of their attempt, diagnosing and treating depression among the elderly is especially difficult. So often people think that depression naturally accompanies old age, or it is masked by other symptoms.

Feeling alone is the most natural thing in the world, and it only increases with age, I'm afraid, as natural isolation occurs. Knowing that you aren't the only one should help to reduce the shame and stigma that some still attach to depression. "Even though depression is a medical illness, there is still enormous stigma attached to this disease," says Dr. Drew Pinksy, of the radio show Loveline and chief of staff at Las Encinas Hospital,Pasadena, Calif. "Many people continue to view depression as a personalitytrait, something to snap out of. In fact people with depression can't snapout of it any more than people with other diseases can. Depression is not apersonality flaw, and it is highly treatable."

Just as all of us are usually willing to seek help for physical problems weare having, so we should be willing to seek help for emotional or mentalproblems. If the doctor doesn't listen, seek another one, or enlist the helpof your friends or relatives. That may be very difficult, but keep trying.

There is help, and hope.For more, visithttp://www.IntimacyAndDepression.com/.

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Contributed by Melodie Davis from her weekly columnANOTHER WAY (http://www.thirdway.com/aw/).For information on using Another Way in a local newspaper, contact:ANOTHER WAY, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801-2497; or call1-800-999-3534; fax at 540-434-5556; or email me at:Melodie@mennomedia.org