Elderly Individuals Have Treatment Options For Depression

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Elderly Individuals Have Treatment Options For Depression

Your doctor can advise you regarding the treatment plan that is right for you. The plan may involve one or more methods of treating your depression. Chances are good that the plan involves a combination of different treatments.

Treatment Options:

The option that is commonly recognized due to media coverage is that of antidepressants. These medications are believed to be very effective in treating those aged 65 or older. There is a risk that the antidepressant may have a potential negative affect on other medications that you may already be taking; so always tell your doctor and your pharmacist of any other medications you are taking when antidepressants are prescribed for you. It is important to always follow dosing instructions carefully and to continue taking the medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Always tell your doctor if you experience a side-effect that is mentioned in the pharmacy leaflet or has been explained to you that you may notice. Your doctor can make changes in dosage or may even change your medication based on these side-affects.

There are many different kinds of antidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (tricyclics).

Another treatment option is psychotherapy. This is a method of treatment that is often times done along with medication. Therapy becomes a relationship between the counselor and the patient. Discussions are how the patient works through some of the symptoms or signs of their depression. Therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes to an hour and span weeks, months or even longer depending on the needs of the patient. Most sessions are covered by healthcare plans in full or partially. Psychotherapy is sometimes done when mediation is not a part of the treatment plan because of desire or because of counter indications is present. There are many functional and social consequences of depression in the elderly and psychotherapy has been proven to be beneficial for resolution of these issues.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used when all other methods have failed or when the patient is experiencing severe depression and all other options do not look as promising. It is a method that needs to be evaluated prior to using it. The treatment is performed only by skilled health care professions due to the fact that an electrical impulse is applied through the scalp by electrodes. The patient is under general anesthesia during the procedure. A muscle relaxant medication is usually also given to the patient to relax muscles. Patients are carefully monitored during the entire procedure. The procedure is usually given up to 3 times a week for 2 to 4 weeks depending on the needs of the patient. The patient wakes up shortly after the treatment is finished and usually remembers nothing of the treatment. There is typically a short period of confusion following the treatment.

The best prognosis for recovery from depression is usually achieved when the elderly patient is diagnosed and treated early in the depression and when the patient has a social support network that may include several types of individual and groups including those who love and care for the individual (family and friends), community groups and support groups designed for elderly individuals with depression. Treatment options may involve a combination of medication, psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and also individual and group social networking.