Depression Health Center

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If your doctor thinks you are depressed, he or she will ask you questions about your health and feelings. This is called a mental health assessment. Your doctor also may:

• Do a physical exam.
• Do tests to make certain your depression is not caused by another medical problem, such as a stroke, dementia, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), or vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
• Ask you about suicide.

If you think you have depression, read this information or take this short quiz to check your symptoms.

How is depression treated in older adults?

As in younger adults, depression in older adults is treated with medicine, counseling, therapy, or a combination. Treatment usually works, and treatment for depression also may help other medical problems that older adults have. Older adults may benefit from early, continuing, and long-term treatment.

Older adults may have special concerns when using medicine.

• Some of the medicines used for depression may not be good choices because they may interact with medicine being taken for other health problems.
• The side effects of medicines may be more severe.
• Some antidepressants may take longer to start working in older adults than they do in younger adults.
• Older adults may need medicine for a longer amount of time than younger adults.

Many older adults don't take all the medicines they need for depression. A caregiver or family member may need to help the person remember to take the medicines.

Depression often occurs with dementia, which is a loss of mental skills that affects daily life. Medicines for depression may help older adults with dementia.

What can an older adult do about depression?

Older adults can be aware of how they are changing as they age and keep a healthy attitude. Remember that getting older is a natural part of life. If you take good care of your body and learn positive ways to deal with stress, you can slow down or even prevent problems that often come with getting older.

One of the best things you can do for your health and to prevent depression is to be active. Several studies suggest that walking with others and doing other forms of exercise reduce symptoms in older adults.¹ It may help prevent depression and help prevent it from coming back (relapse).^{2, 3}

Your mental and emotional health also are important. Stay in touch with friends, family, and the community. If you remain close to others, you are more likely to feel better. Protect or improve your memory and mental sharpness by keeping your brain active through learning, doing crossword puzzles, or playing cards or strategy games.

Many people look back at their lives as they get older. You may feel you have lived a meaningful and good life. On the other hand, you may struggle with this and wonder if you made the most out of your life.