Old Age is NOT Depressing

I suspect, like many of my students, family, and friends, you have an image of what an adult over the age of 65 looks like during a typical day. Lonely, sitting at home, moping, sad, and depressed….just waiting for the end of life. This could not be further from the truth. But the image it paints is powerful and gives the misconception that older adults are depressed, live in a state of sadness, and just experience the worst of mental health conditions. And, so we live in fear of those days ahead.

Fortunately, research on older adults’ mental health shows a different perspective- and this one is positive. The perspective is this: mental health conditions, like depression, do not generally rise in older adults. They are no more at risk of developing depression than someone half their age. In fact, rates are higher in younger adults than they are for older adults. That said, the symptoms of depression may differ for an older adult, and while they still include things like sadness, hopelessness, and irritability, there are also more physical manifestations of the disorder, such as pain, fatigue, and changes in appetite. This can make seeking the right help and receiving a proper diagnosis more difficult.

Considerations for assessing an older adult for depression should be taken, including the differences in physical symptoms compared to emotional/mental symptoms, the disproportionate number of women compared to men struggling with depression (no, we can’t just “blame hormones,” though), and that sometimes other physiological problems like a nutritional deficit could masquerade as a mental health condition. Proper evaluation and treatment is available, including specific depression screenings designed for older adults, therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management techniques like meditation, and medications like Zoloft. Additional considerations can be made for prevention and maintenance as well, including emotional and social support, exercise, and good nutrition. In fact, the DASH diet (a specific dietary approach that is low in sodium and is used to treat high blood pressure) has been shown to also prevent depression, even in individuals with genetic markers that increase their likelihood of developing this mental health condition.

Depression just isn’t something that comes along with getting older- don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you are struggling, please seek help. There is support, and this isn’t something you “just have to deal with because you’re older.” There is life and vibrancy beyond age 65.

Dr. Sara Margolin is a psychology and neuroscience professor at the State University of New York at Brockport. She has expertise in cognitive aging.