Spotlight On

Holiday Depression

The holiday season is celebrated as a cheerful time to be with family and friends. Still, some individuals experience a heightened sense of depression. Although depression is NOT a normal part of aging, “During the holidays, older adults may feel more acutely the passing of time, the absence of parents, siblings and friends who have died, and the distance of loved ones who have moved away,” according to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. A limited budget may also contribute to the holiday blues.

You may be depressed if…

You feel:

• Nervous or “empty”
• Guilty or worthless
• Very tired or slowed down
• You don’t enjoy things the way you used to
• Restless and irritable
• Like no one loves you
• Like life is not worth living

Or you are:

• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating more or less than usual
• Having persistent headaches, stomach aches, or chronic pain

Depression is treatable, but your doctor can only help you if you say how you are really feeling.

As a caregiver, family member and/or friend of a depressed older adult, you can help by:

• Looking for signs of depression. Keep in mind that signs may be different for older adults;
• Taking the older adult to a medical professional; and
• Being patient and understanding. Talk with the older adult and support the prescribed treatment for depression.

Remember, depression is not a normal part of aging.

To learn more, please visit:

• http://www.niapublications.org/engagepages/depression.asp
• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depoldermenu.cfm
• http://www.samhsa.gov/news/newsreleases/
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The Mental Health Services Locator is available online at: http://www.mentalhealth.org/databases/

Or call toll-free, 1-800-789-2647.