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Suggest Treatment For Depression In Old Age

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Posted on Mon, 1 Dec 2014
Question: I have never been depressed--I am 73 years old.
Now I am facing some minor health problems, a difficult husband with monderate health problems, with whom I agree about nothing, a bleak environmental future ( I am an environmental advocate), new money problems with retirement, filing my taxes late, a disabled pet. When I look ahead I see more of the same, with a new outlook that a person's life is not that important--too many people. I am already thinking ahead to the next ten years and how gracefully to plan my exit.
Is this depression, or just being realistic?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not depression but just worries

Detailed Answer:
Hello Welcome to Health Care Magic

You are 73 years old female with good health except some minor health problems. You have problems with your husband, money problems and filling taxes late etc problems are there. You are having thinking that persons life is not that important.

As per my opinion these are not so serious concerns which should be given attention in psychiatric point of view. These are not due to depression but due to normal worries and age related phenomenon.

As per many psychological theories in elderly age individuals come to accept that life is finite and coming to end. They start to slow down their productivity and explore their retired life. In this time individuals tend to contemplate accomplishments of their life and develop integrity. Some times abnormal ideas about future start to develop but this is normal thing. This is common with age and there is no need to worry.

This is not depression and this is normal psychological phenomenon.

Thanks, you can ask again if you have more doubts.

Wish you a good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 days later)
any tips on how to become more productive?
instead of the normal slowing down, I need to cope with a lot of entirely new issues--budget problems, major decisions, all by myself. Luckily no family problems--our kids are doing well.
Also I'm happier when my husband is not here. He is interested in nothing I do, and I am not interested in his stuff. We don't agree on anything. He is crabby and bored--does absolutely nothing but watch TV--which I never do.
I am pretty smart, and excited to spend the next few years accomplishing stuff. It's hard when he's always home doing nothing.
We have been married 54 years! It would be a lot easier if we were rich the way we used to be--a lot of bad decisions (mostly by him)
I feel as if I can handle this stuff, but some ideas on how to cope would be most helpful!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Look into the positive aspects

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

To increase mood and productiveness most important thing to do is to look into positive aspects of life. Try to recapitulate your positive accomplishments of life, what you have achieved. In this manner you will become happy from inside and your mood will lift.

Light exercise in evening will help in release of endorphins which help in lifting the mood. Take diets rich in carbohydrates and proteins, low in fat. This results in improvement of mood.

Taking Omega 3 Fatty acid soft gels also result in improvement in mood. These are harmless and no side effects.

The new issues like budget problems really distress one individual, but keep these problems out of your mood. Try to improve the things but don't think about these things to such level that make you depressed.

Ignore any negative aspect in present life, this is not the time to pay attention to distressing things. You are married for 54 years and due to some bad decisions you have lost your financial status. Mostly bad decisions by, but as per my opinion don't label him alone for the state. Try to improve present and future. You can manage the situation easily.


Thanks, you can ask again if you have more questions. Wish you a good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Depression In Old Age

Brief Answer: Not depression but just worries Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health Care Magic You are 73 years old female with good health except some minor health problems. You have problems with your husband, money problems and filling taxes late etc problems are there. You are having thinking that persons life is not that important. As per my opinion these are not so serious concerns which should be given attention in psychiatric point of view. These are not due to depression but due to normal worries and age related phenomenon. As per many psychological theories in elderly age individuals come to accept that life is finite and coming to end. They start to slow down their productivity and explore their retired life. In this time individuals tend to contemplate accomplishments of their life and develop integrity. Some times abnormal ideas about future start to develop but this is normal thing. This is common with age and there is no need to worry. This is not depression and this is normal psychological phenomenon. Thanks, you can ask again if you have more doubts. Wish you a good health.