La tercera edad suele describirse como una época de descanso, reflexión y de oportunidades para hacer cosas que quedaron postergadas mientras uno criaba a los hijos y desarrollaba su carrera.
Lamentablemente, el proceso de envejecimiento no es siempre tan idílico. Acontecimientos de la tercera edad como, por ejemplo, los trastornos médicos crónicos y debilitantes, la pérdida de amigos y seres queridos, y la incapacidad para participar en actividades que antes disfrutaba, pueden resultar una carga muy pesada para el bienestar emocional de una persona que está envejeciendo.
Una persona de edad avanzada también puede sentir una pérdida de control sobre su vida debido a problemas con la vista, pérdida de la audición y otros cambios físicos, así como presiones externas como, por ejemplo, recursos financieros limitados. Estos y otros asuntos suelen dejar emociones negativas como la tristeza, la ansiedad, la soledad y la baja autoestima, que a su vez conducen al aislamiento social y la apatía.
Depresión
Otra consecuencia más grave es la depresión crónica o la depresión que es recurrente y persistente. La depresión crónica tiene consecuencias físicas y mentales que pueden complicar un problema de salud existente de una persona de edad avanzada y desencadenar nuevas preocupaciones.Hay pruebas de que algunos cambios corporales naturales asociados con el envejecimiento pueden aumentar el riesgo de que una persona de experimente depresión. Estudios recientes sugieren que las bajas concentraciones de folato en la sangre y el sistema nervioso pueden contribuir a la depresión, el deterioro mental y la demencia. Los investigadores también sospechan que puede existir una relación entre la aparición de la depresión en la vejez y la enfermedad de Alzheimer.
Independientemente de la causa, la depresión puede tener efectos físicos alarmantes en las personas mayores. El índice de mortalidad de los hombres y mujeres de la tercera edad que tienen depresión y sentimientos de soledad es mayor que el de aquellos que están satisfechos con sus vidas. Los programas de tratamiento para los pacientes de la tercera edad deprimidos que tienen una enfermedad cardiovascular y otras enfermedades importantes, suelen tomar más tiempo de lo normal y su resultado es menos satisfactorio.
Además, los sentimientos de desesperanza y aislamiento, que suelen alentar ideas suicidas, son más frecuentes entre las personas mayores, en especial aquellas con discapacidades o que están confinadas a hogares de ancianos.
Un riesgo para la vida diaria
La depresión también puede tener otras formas de efectos potencialmente nocivos para la salud de una persona mayor. La depresión puede llevar a hábitos alimenticios que acaben resultando en obesidad, provocando también pérdida considerable del apetito y la reducción de niveles de energía, ocasionado a veces un trastorno conocido como anorexia geriátrica.Las personas deprimidas de la tercera edad también experimentan índices más altos de insomnio y pérdida de memoria. También tienen tiempos de reacción más prolongados que lo normal, lo que aumenta los riesgos asociados con cocinar, conducir, automedicarse y otras tareas que requieren una atención completa.
Qué puede hacer
Si bien envejecer es una parte inevitable de la vida, la depresión no debe formar parte de ella. Los investigadores están de acuerdo en que el reconocimiento, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento tempranos pueden contrarrestar y prevenir las consecuencias emocionales y físicas de la depresión.Estos son algunos aspectos a tener en cuenta al tratar la depresión en una persona mayor:
- Sea consciente de las limitaciones físicas. Aliente a una persona mayor a consultar con un médico antes de hacer cambios en su dieta o emprender una nueva actividad que pueda estresar su resistencia.
- Respete las preferencias individuales. Debido a que las personas mayores tienden a ser menos dóciles a los cambios de estilo de vida, pueden ser reacias a adoptar nuevos hábitos o a hacer cosas que otras personas de su edad disfrutan mucho. Un psicólogo que se especialice en problemas de la tercera edad puede ayudar a desarrollar una estrategia individual para combatir la depresión.
- Sea diplomático. Una persona mayor con una autoestima frágil puede interpretar expresiones de aliento y estimulo bien intencionadas como una prueba más del deterioro de su estado. Otros pueden molestarse ante cualquier intento de intervención. Un psicólogo puede ayudar a sus amigos y familiares a desarrollar tácticas positivas para lidiar con estos y otros problemas delicados.
Asociación Americana de Psicología
DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY
The elderly often described as a time of rest, reflection and
opportunities to do things that were deferred while you raised children
and developed his career.Unfortunately, the aging process is not always as idyllic. Events
seniors as, for example, chronic and debilitating medical conditions,
the loss of friends and loved ones, and the inability to participate in
activities once enjoyed, can be a very heavy burden on the emotional
well-being of a person He is aging.An
elderly person may also feel a loss of control over your life because
of vision problems, hearing loss and other physical changes as well as
external pressures such as, for example, limited financial resources. These and other issues often leave negative emotions like sadness,
anxiety, loneliness and low self-esteem, which in turn lead to social
isolation and apathy.DepressionAnother more serious consequence is chronic depression or depression that is recurring and persistent. Chronic depression has physical and mental consequences that may
complicate existing health problem of an elderly person and trigger new
concerns.There
is evidence that some natural body changes associated with aging may
increase the risk that a person experiencing depression. Recent
studies suggest that low levels of folate in the blood and nervous
system may contribute to depression, mental impairment and dementia. Researchers also suspect that there may be a relationship between the onset of depression in old age and Alzheimer's disease.Regardless of the cause, depression can have alarming physical effects in the elderly. The
mortality rate of men and women seniors who have depression and
feelings of loneliness is greater than that of those who are satisfied
with their lives. Treatment programs for depressed patients of the third age who have
cardiovascular disease and other major diseases, often take longer than
usual and the result is less satisfactory.In addition, feelings of hopelessness and isolation, which often
encourage suicidal ideation are more common among older people,
especially those with disabilities or who are confined to nursing homes.A risk for daily lifeDepression can also have other forms of potentially harmful effects to the health of a person. Depression can lead to eating habits that end up resulting in obesity,
also causing considerable loss of appetite and reduced energy levels,
sometimes caused a condition known as geriatric anorexia.Depressed elderly people also experience higher rates of insomnia and memory loss. They also have times longer than normal reaction, which increases the
risks associated with cooking, driving, self-medication and other tasks
that require full attention.What you can doWhile aging is an inevitable part of life, depression should not be part of it. Researchers agree that recognition, diagnosis and early treatment can
counteract and prevent emotional and physical consequences of
depression.Here are some things to consider when treating depression in a person:Be aware of physical limitations. Encourage greater to consult a doctor before making changes in your
diet or begin a new activity that can stress your strength person.Respect individual preferences. Because
older people tend to be less amenable to changes in lifestyle, they may
be reluctant to adopt new habits or to do things that other people
their age enjoy a lot. A psychologist who specializes in problems of the elderly can help develop an individual strategy to combat depression.Be diplomatic. An
elderly person with a fragile self-esteem can interpret expressions of
encouragement and stimulus well intentioned as further evidence of
deterioration in their state. Others may resent any attempt to intervene. A psychologist can help your friends and family to develop positive tactics to deal with these and other sensitive issues.
American Psychological Association
DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY
The elderly often described as a time of rest, reflection and opportunities to do things that were deferred while you raised children and developed his career.Unfortunately, the aging process is not always as idyllic. Events seniors as, for example, chronic and debilitating medical conditions, the loss of friends and loved ones, and the inability to participate in activities once enjoyed, can be a very heavy burden on the emotional well-being of a person He is aging.An elderly person may also feel a loss of control over your life because of vision problems, hearing loss and other physical changes as well as external pressures such as, for example, limited financial resources. These and other issues often leave negative emotions like sadness, anxiety, loneliness and low self-esteem, which in turn lead to social isolation and apathy.DepressionAnother more serious consequence is chronic depression or depression that is recurring and persistent. Chronic depression has physical and mental consequences that may complicate existing health problem of an elderly person and trigger new concerns.There is evidence that some natural body changes associated with aging may increase the risk that a person experiencing depression. Recent studies suggest that low levels of folate in the blood and nervous system may contribute to depression, mental impairment and dementia. Researchers also suspect that there may be a relationship between the onset of depression in old age and Alzheimer's disease.Regardless of the cause, depression can have alarming physical effects in the elderly. The mortality rate of men and women seniors who have depression and feelings of loneliness is greater than that of those who are satisfied with their lives. Treatment programs for depressed patients of the third age who have cardiovascular disease and other major diseases, often take longer than usual and the result is less satisfactory.In addition, feelings of hopelessness and isolation, which often encourage suicidal ideation are more common among older people, especially those with disabilities or who are confined to nursing homes.A risk for daily lifeDepression can also have other forms of potentially harmful effects to the health of a person. Depression can lead to eating habits that end up resulting in obesity, also causing considerable loss of appetite and reduced energy levels, sometimes caused a condition known as geriatric anorexia.Depressed elderly people also experience higher rates of insomnia and memory loss. They also have times longer than normal reaction, which increases the risks associated with cooking, driving, self-medication and other tasks that require full attention.What you can doWhile aging is an inevitable part of life, depression should not be part of it. Researchers agree that recognition, diagnosis and early treatment can counteract and prevent emotional and physical consequences of depression.Here are some things to consider when treating depression in a person:Be aware of physical limitations. Encourage greater to consult a doctor before making changes in your diet or begin a new activity that can stress your strength person.Respect individual preferences. Because older people tend to be less amenable to changes in lifestyle, they may be reluctant to adopt new habits or to do things that other people their age enjoy a lot. A psychologist who specializes in problems of the elderly can help develop an individual strategy to combat depression.Be diplomatic. An elderly person with a fragile self-esteem can interpret expressions of encouragement and stimulus well intentioned as further evidence of deterioration in their state. Others may resent any attempt to intervene. A psychologist can help your friends and family to develop positive tactics to deal with these and other sensitive issues.
American Psychological Association
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