People over 55 need to be alert to depression

8 major symptoms, 4 prevention suggestions

Studies have shown that the proportion of elderly people suffering from depression is much higher than that of young people, and the proportion of elderly people over 55 years of age suffering from depression is even more prominent. After some elderly people suffer from severe depression, there are many examples of suicide because they fail to seek medical treatment or prevent them in time.

So, what are the manifestations of senile depression? With 5 or more of the following symptoms, it can basically be judged that the elderly have suffered from depression.

1. When looking at another person, there is no expression on the face, slow response, dull eyesight, and lasts a long time.

2. Seeing others singing, dancing, celebrating parties, etc., not only will not feel happy and excited but will remind oneself of sad things, so will avoid these entertainment activities, have no interest or even dislike entertainment activities.

3. Depressed, depressed and sad all day long, often recalling bad things in the past and condemning oneself. Often accompanied by upset, short temper, irritability, and so on.

4. Insomnia, troubled, difficulty falling asleep at night, severe cases will be awake at night and wake up very early in the morning.

5. Depressed patients lose interest in doing anything, so they show poor concentration. And when faced with problems, you can’t make your own decisions. When faced with some important things, you are often helpless and even panicked, hoping that someone will make a decision for you.

6. I don’t like exercise, and I rarely go out. Most of the time I stay alone in a place where there is no one. I stand, sit, and lie quietly. I don’t take the initiative to communicate with others. Tired look.

7. Elderly patients with depression are often accompanied by physical discomforts, such as headache, sore limbs, stomach discomfort, diarrhea or constipation, chest tightness, etc., but the physical examination has no obvious abnormal indicators.

8. Some elderly patients with depression tend to be hypoxic, and about one-third of them have hypochondriasis as the first symptom of depression. Most of the suspected diseases involve the cardiovascular system, digestive system, and suicidal tendencies.

Severe depression should seek medical treatment promptly

In fact, it is not terrible for the elderly to suffer from depression. The terrible thing is that they refuse to admit it or take the initiative to seek medical treatment. As children, we must start with the inducements that cause depression, and gradually conduct psychological counseling to the elderly, so as to truly open up the hearts of the elderly. For the elderly with severe depression, children must take the elderly to the psychology department of the hospital for treatment. Under the professional guidance of the psychiatrist, take some antidepressant medications to help the elderly correctly understand and treat depression.

In order to avoid the further development of depression and cause serious consequences, four suggestions are given to prevent it.

1. Participate in group activities. Many elderly people are depressed because of loneliness, so they like to shut themselves in the house and do not want to communicate with others. Children should encourage the elderly to participate in some group activities to help alleviate this unhealthy mental state. You can dance square dances, play ball games, and take a walk with your neighbors in the neighborhood. You can also go hiking and outings with the elderly in the community. This not only exercises the body but also relaxes the body and mind, which plays an important role in preventing depression.

2. Give spiritual care. The elderly have no worries about food and clothing. What they need most is the care and companionship of their children. Especially elderly patients with depression, they need the mental comfort of their relatives. As children and grandchildren, no matter how busy you are at work, you should make more time to chat with old people and talk about daily routines, whether it is work or life. You can cook and cook with the elderly, watch TV with the elderly, etc. so that the elderly can feel the attention and care, which will play a good role in preventing depression in the elderly.

3. Make old friends. You can sign up for a travel agency for the elderly, make more elderly friends, talk about each other's past together, take more photos along the way, and feel the nature and beautiful scenery, which can reduce the loneliness of the elderly and the sense of isolation from the society.

4. Scientific nutritional supplement. Studies have shown that people with lower serum cholesterol levels have an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Serum cholesterol comes from diet, that is, the amount of dietary cholesterol determines the level of serum cholesterol. Therefore, the prevention of depression in the elderly can also start with diet, pay attention to the combination of meat and vegetables, and supplement nutrition. Eat more foods rich in vitamin B and amino acids, such as cereals, fish, green vegetables, eggs, etc.