Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
85 Year Old Suffering From Depression. Need Help
Posted on
Sat, 16 Mar 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 16 Mar 2013
Answered on
Wed, 10 Apr 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : Age 85,still fit. Having depression. No transportation. Not enough to do all day.
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
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
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
