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85 Year Old Suffering From Depression. Need Help

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Posted on Wed, 10 Apr 2013
Question: Age 85,still fit. Having depression. No transportation. Not enough to do all day.
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Answered by Dr. Sundar Gnanavel (12 minutes later)
Hello......
Thanks for your query. As you rightly mentioned lack of social interaction and decreased activity levels could be pointers towards depression. The comorbid physical diseases like tuberculosis, cancer and auto-immune diseases all can contribute to depression. The treatment would include use of antidepressants like citalopram in your case as well as psychotherapy including CBT/Cognitive behavioural therapy. We have a wide variety of antidepressants including SSRI/SNRI/TCA classes of antidepressants. Generally antidepressants require 6-8 weeks for onset of action. Yoga, meditation and breathing relaxation exercises might offer benefit. Hope you found the information useful.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sundar Gnanavel

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 632 Questions

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85 Year Old Suffering From Depression. Need Help

Hello......
Thanks for your query. As you rightly mentioned lack of social interaction and decreased activity levels could be pointers towards depression. The comorbid physical diseases like tuberculosis, cancer and auto-immune diseases all can contribute to depression. The treatment would include use of antidepressants like citalopram in your case as well as psychotherapy including CBT/Cognitive behavioural therapy. We have a wide variety of antidepressants including SSRI/SNRI/TCA classes of antidepressants. Generally antidepressants require 6-8 weeks for onset of action. Yoga, meditation and breathing relaxation exercises might offer benefit. Hope you found the information useful.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist