Human emotions reflect the external and inner world and change depending on life circumstances. We often meet situations when a person with a special expectation considers months before the retirement age: “Finally I will be free, I will plan a day myself, not to rush anywhere, in a word - to live in pleasure”, and then,When this “golden autumn” comes - a pension - problems of a different kind arise. And instead of the joy of colors of life and being, grayness, monotony is increasingly visible, there is a feeling of uselessness, loneliness (even if a person lives in a family).This is the first harbingers of depression.This disorder is a widespread phenomenon in all countries of the world. It covers almost all layers of society.About 5% of the world around the world suffer from depression: 13% of men and 7-8% of women; In old age, it is much more common than in mature and young years. The prevalence of depression among the population over 65 is up to 30%.According to the World Health Organization, “depressive states, as the cause of death and disability, will reach 2nd place by 2020, significantly ahead of traffic accidents, wars, AIDS and only coronary heart disease”.
What is depression?
Depression is a state characterized by a depressed mood, a decrease in mental and physical activity, a variety of somatic disorders (loss of appetite, weight loss, raising blood pressure, sleep deterioration, etc.).
The word depression is also a term often used in speech everyday life. Often they are called a simple decrease in mood and situational displeasure. Such conditions differ from clinical depression and are called differently.
The reasons for the appearance of depression
In the elderly:
- In old age, especially after retirement,Some people cannot quickly adapt to new living conditions for them, life, pastime. During this period of his life, an elderly person is faced with a large number of life difficulties, disappointments, the death of friends, relatives, friends, a deterioration in the financial situation, a decrease in the degree of self -esteem, a sense of loss of social rank, unnecessaryness and loneliness, which leads to social self -isolation and psychological maladaptation.
- Somatic diseases,Often contributing to the development of depression (arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, tumor, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.).
- Reception of a large amount drugsthat can cause depression (these are corticosteroids, beta-blockers, antihypertonic, anti-allergic drugs, etc.).
- With age The content of neurotransmitters (serotanin, norepinephrine), in other words, “hormones of joy” decreases in the brain.
Symptoms of depression
Unfortunately, the appearance of depression in older people is not always recognized in a timely manner by doctors and relatives, since most complaints are associated with bodily symptoms, and not with mental manifestations.Nevertheless, there are signs by which, with careful observation, the characteristic features of depression can be revealed,This:
- Bad mood (sadness, longing, depression, despondency, sadness, apathy).
- Eliveliness or angedonia (The loss of previous interests, as well as the ability to enjoy those classes and things that used to give such pleasure).
- Reduction in activity, energetic, motor inhibition, increased fatigue (which was not previously noted).
- Reduced self -esteem,Feeling of guilt, loss of self -confidence (feels bad, worthless, incapable). It becomes difficult to make decisions (even a simple household task causes difficulties).
- The appearance of a person-An extinct gaze, dry skin, lowered shoulders, in clothes the predominance of gray and black colors, sloppiness indifferent to appearance.
- Slow thinking(The attention of a person is scattered, it is difficult to concentrate on something).
- Persistent pessimism develops,“Everything is bad”, this applies to both the events of a past life and the future, a person’s perception changes the world around him (he loses his colorfulness, expressiveness “everything in a dim light”).
- Unpleasant sensations from various organs:“Stone on the heart”, heartbeat, “body is poured with lead”, headache, nausea, dry mouth, “cotton legs”, “discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract”, etc.
- The emergence of thought of unwillingness to live:From simple disappointment and fatigue from life, to distinct plans for the commission of suicide.
Depression in old age often resembles a state of age -related dementia (irreversible degradation of the personality, which is manifested by dementia), in contrast to which the patient himself, and not his relatives, expresses complaints about a decrease in memory and intelligence. Mind of mood during the day (in the morning and in the first half).
Diagnostics and treatment
Diagnosis and treatment of depression in the elderly is one of the priority tasks of the clinicians,Since depression extremely negatively affects not only the overall health of an elderly person, but also the quality of life of people close to him.
When the above symptoms appearin humans, and especially pronounced apathy and low motivation (motivation for actions),the doctor can easily diagnose the disease,Send the patient to in -depth examination and treatment.
Treatment of depression-Complex. It includes both drug treatment and psychological correction and psychotherapy sessions.
- Drug treatment carried out using the use of antidepressants (drugs are prescribed in lower doses, with slower The pace of their increase and even more gradual cancellation). Preference is given to drugs coaxil, fluoxetine, Lerivon, doxypin). In addition, vasocoregulatory drugs are prescribed that improve the functioning of brain cells (Emoxypin, Stugeron, Vinpotin, Cavinton); Vitamins of group B, magnesium, plant drugs: St. John's wort, Novo-Passit, intellane.
- The purpose of psychological and psychotherapeutic treatment- maintaining the patient’s self -esteem, the development of his self -esteem, the formation of new interpersonal relationships.
Prevention and depression protection measures
- Once in a difficult life situation,The most important thing is not to get lost, not to go into yourself and not to fall into an extreme.
- Recommended Change the situation, especially after the death of loved ones, is desirable to temporarily travel to another place (sanatorium, rest house, etc.).
- Avoidself -medication, treatment with “non -traditional methods”, timely seek help from a psychiatrist or psychotherapist, observe the rules and scheme of taking antidepressants.
- Reviewtheir main life goals on this period of time.
- Bring more pleasures into your life (always find time and money to give yourself pleasure - watching an interesting film, buying a new thing, a new acquaintance, etc.).
- You need to love yourself,Try to constantly maintain a high level of self -esteem.
- SupportGood physical shape (eat properly and regularly, monitor weight, establish a dream).
- Make your life versatile (it is important that life has more components - house, family, entertainment, friends, hobbies).
- Do not be lonely-Try to establish and maintain harmonious interpersonal relationships (not to spare time and effort for those with whom you want to communicate (friends, colleagues, neighbors, relatives).
- Monitor your mental health (Depression does not begin on the same day, and if you feel its early signs, you need to visit a psychiatrist or psychotherapist).
The city center of border states and psychotherapy, located at the address: st. Mendeleev, 4. The registry telephone 245-61-74 from 8.00 to 20.00 (except for weekends).
Never despair and remember: there is a way out of any situation!
Author:
Matosova O.A.- Psychotherapist GPN
