How do I Keep Depression at Bay?

Denis July 17, 2019

Depression becomes more prevalent as we age. Loss of loved ones, spouses and friends, changes in lifestyle such as work and home can all come into play and cause depression as we grow older.

There are things we can do to keep depression at bay, such as socializing, going to the doctor for regular checkups, exercising to release natural, depression fighting endorphins and adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle.

There are so many things that can cause a person to become depressed that it sometimes takes a professional to help us through it. There are also many levels and degrees of depression – from situational depression over a recent incident to chemical depression caused by changes in the brain.

Chronic depression can greatly affect how we age and what maladies may descend upon us. Many physical ailments come about or are worsened due to a depressed emotional state.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

It’s important for you to know the signs and symptoms of depression so that you can do something to combat it before it affects your lifestyle and your health. Depression may cause you to have increased difficulty concentrating or remembering things.

Depression may also keep you from socializing, coping with life’s problems, sleeping well and even affect your cognitive abilities. Everyone has ups and downs, however, when you feel despair constantly and it won’t go away, you may be depressed.

Here are some major warning signs that you may be depressed rather than experiencing a downswing in mood:

Change in Sleep Patterns – Insomnia or oversleeping (hypersomnia) that doesn’t seem to go away may indicate clinical depression.

Trouble Concentrating – Inability to focus on a task at hand or being unable to make simple decisions can be symptoms of depression.

Irritability and Anger – Being unusually short-tempered or experiencing out-of-character aggressiveness may also be a sign that you’re depressed.

Feelings of Helplessness or Hopelessness – Feeling that life is bleak and there’s no hope for the future can be depression rearing its ugly head.

Negative Thoughts Consume Your Life – One sign of depression is that no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to get the negative thoughts out of your mind to the point that it affects your lifestyle.

Voracious Appetite or Loss of Appetite – Depression may affect how you eat, including severe loss of appetite or eating so much that you’re gaining unwanted weight.

Signs and symptoms of depression vary according to the individual, if you have many of the above symptoms and they seem to be interfering with your life, you should seek help immediately.

Preventing Depression as You Age

Depression isn’t a normal part of aging, however, aging can bring on symptoms of depression – even to having suicidal thoughts. As older adults face loss of independence, severe health problems and bereavement, it’s important to recognize depression and quickly address it before it controls you.

Treatment may come in the form of anti-depressants if nothing else seems to work. There are more natural ways for older adults to beat depression and enjoy life, no matter how difficult it may be to face life’s changes and challenges.

Social support is especially helpful for depression in older adults. Adapting to lifestyle changes and building emotional skills are also important if a person is to successfully face and overcome the devastating power of depression.

Ways that you can fight depression as you age include adapting a healthy diet and exercise regimen. There are also other methods that will help you keep depression at bay, including:

Check Medications – Your medications may actually be causing your depression or contributing to its overall effect. Pain medications, hormones and cancer medications can all be culprits contributing to depression.

Active Social Life – Visiting or receiving visits from family and friends during the week can help lessen depression as we age. Joining a club or engaging in activities you enjoy can also help tremendously.

Yoga, Meditation and Tai Chi – These are some of the best activities targeting the negative thoughts that come with aging and depression. They’re also good exercises to keep the body healthy and moving.

Hobbies – Taking up a hobby that keeps you busy and focused is an extremely healthy way to combat depression. Mental challenges of a new hobby or activity also help to ward off dementia.

Therapy – Sometimes we just need an empathetic ear to listen to us. You can usually work through your feelings of depression by spending time with a therapist who’s educated in helping with aging issues.

When you’re overwhelmed by thoughts of depression, ask for help. It may be that your thoughts, as you age, are becoming negative and depressing – this may be based on misplaced perception rather than the reality of your situation.

Reaching out and having a strong support system can help you realize a speedy recovery and enjoy life in your later years. Don’t isolate yourself from others, even if you feel like withdrawing and being alone.

Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

Depression can be a breeding ground for suicidal thoughts. The hopelessness and fear that comes with aging can sometimes be so depressing that suicide can seem like a valid option.

If you’re thinking suicidal thoughts, know that it’s a serious symptom of depression and seek help immediately!

Some serious warning signs of suicidal depression are:

Thinking or speaking about harming yourself

Hopelessness and helplessness

Giving away possessions and a sudden preoccupation with getting affairs in order

Reckless behavior

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above feelings, reach out for help or express concern and get help for the person involved. Most of all don’t panic. You can fight and win the depression and thoughts of suicide that accompany it.

Anti-depressants may help, however, lifestyle changes are longer lasting and have a more positive effect on the real causes of the depression. Building the right emotional skills can help successfully combat much of the perceived downside to aging.

Getting Out of “The Black Hole”

Depression is often described as living in a black hole. While it’s happening to you, you’re sad and may have feelings of impending doom. It may also take the form of anger or aggressiveness – leading to reckless behavior.

It’s normal to feel sad and have mood swings once in a while, on the other hand, if these feelings are taking over your life and are unrelenting, it’s time to make some changes in your lifestyle and possibly seek professional help.

Risk factors of chronic depression include increased pain such as back, muscles, stomach and headaches. The pain is very real and it is difficult to know whether its source is physical or a result of depression-related thoughts.

If you believe that depression is causing the pain and you’re making poor lifestyle choices, in relationships and other areas of your life, it’s probably time to seek professional help.

A professional therapist can help you get out of the black hole and assist you in making the lifestyle choices you need to live a healthy and active life as you age.