Home | Provider Resources | About Us | Contact Us | Search

En Español

Treating Late Life Depression, What You Need to Know

Back to all Preventive Health Programs

1. Can depression in older adults be treated?
2. How is depression treated?
3. Common myths about depression
4. Talking with your doctor
5. What you need to know

Can depression in older adults be treated?

Being depressed can hurt. It can make you feel sick. It can make you sad. It can change the way you think about yourself and others. It can keep you from doing things that you need to do to stay alive. It can keep you from doing things you like. It can even threaten your life. If you are depressed, you may feel worried or be afraid. Depression needs to be treated. Years ago, depression was called a “nervous breakdown.”

The good news about depression in older adults is that it can be treated. Most people who are depressed get better when they are treated.

back to top

How is depression treated?

There are several ways to treat depression. One is to take medicine for depression. Talking to a therapist is another. A treatment called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) also helps.

Medicine for depression may take time to help. It can take several weeks before you begin to feel better. Most people who take this type of medicine are helped by it. Some people who take medicine for depression have side effects. Your doctor will tell you about them. If you have any of them, tell your doctor. He can help you to manage any side effects. Sometimes the doctor will change your medicine if there are too many side effects. It is important to talk to your doctor about your medicine. Tell your doctor know how it makes you feel. Also, be sure to tell your doctor about all the other medicine that you take.

Talking to a therapist can help. When you see a therapist, you may need to go every week for a while. Therapy can help you see things in a better way. Taking medicine and talking to a therapist can give you the best chance of getting better.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is safe and effective. It is sometimes used when a person does not get better with medicine or therapy. Some people who are depressed may have changes in the way they think. ECT can help with this. ECT may cause some brief confusion.

back to top

Common myths about depression

MYTH

“The last thing I need is another pill.”

FACT

People who are depressed may be more sick because of their depression. If they treat their depression they may take fewer pills because they are better. Many medications for depression can be taken just once a day.

MYTH

“Only crazy people see a psychiatrist (or therapist).”

FACT

Most of the older people who get mental health care are depressed.

MYTH

“Medicine for depression will make me a zombie.”

FACT

Most of the medicines for depression do not make you tired or sleepy. They do not change you. They do not make you a “different person.” They can make you feel less sad. You can be less tired. You can sleep better. You can be less anxious.

back to top

Talking with your doctor

It is important for you to talk with your doctor about your health and your feelings. It is often helpful for your doctor to talk to your family about your treatment. Physical and mental health affects all other parts of your life. Remember, your doctor (s) needs to know about:

• All medicines that you take
• All vitamins or herbs that you take
• Any physical health problems you have

back to top

What you need to know

Depression is a serious medical problem. It can keep you from doing the things that you want to do. If you are depressed, you cannot just be “cheered up.” You cannot “pull yourself out of it.”

The good news is that depression gets better with treatment. Both medicine and therapy can help. Feeling better can take time. But, feeling better can happen. When depression is gone, you can enjoy your life more. You will be able to sleep. You will be able to eat better. Your mood will be better. You will be able to cope better.

back to top

To download a pdf version of this newsletter, click here. (PDF, 352K)