Depression

The Seniors and Depression series from the Mood Disorders Association of BC helps older adults and loved ones recognize signs of depression and seek help. Depression is not a normal part of aging, so it’s important to take depression seriously at any age.

Have you noticed that your senior loved one seems unhappy or more anxious, irritable or moody? Maybe you notice that they are quieter than they once were and have stopped doing things they were once interested in.

Seniors are at greater risk of suicide than are younger people. The British Columbia Crisis Centre indicates that, “Statistics tell us that older adults, particularly older males, have high rates of suicide."

Depression is a mood disorder; dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, can have similar symptoms but they are different illnesses and have different treatment plans. It’s important to know what to look for to help determine what illness you might be dealing with. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis however so if you experience any of the symptoms of either illness see your doctor right away.

Depression is a mental illness. It affects the way you feel. The way you feel is called your mood. Depression is a very low mood. Depression makes it hard to feel happy or to enjoy things. You will also learn about grief in this booklet.

Talking to your health professional about depression is a very important first step. It’s the beginning of your journey to wellness. Once you’ve received a diagnosis, you and your health professional will need to build a treatment plan that works for you.

Being diagnosed with anything can be hard, but a mental health diagnosis can be particularly hard to deal with. You might wonder why this has happened to you and how a diagnosis will affect your life. But no matter what, it’s important to remember that you are not your diagnosis—you are a person that happens to be dealing with depression.

We all use substances, many of which affect our mood. Whether we eat something that gives us pleasure (such as chocolate), enjoy a glass of wine to enhance a meal, or take a prescribed medication to control pain from a recent injury, the use of substances is an accepted part of life.