"Antidepressants may cause mild and, usually, temporary side effects (sometimes referred to as adverse effects) in some people."

"The exact mechanisms by which ECT exerts its therapeutic effect are not yet known."

Depression in Older Men


Men must cope with several kinds of stress as they age. If they have been the primary wage earners for their families and have identified heavily with their jobs, they may feel stress upon retirementloss of an important role, loss of self esteemthat can lead to depression. Similarly, the loss of friends and family and the onset of other health problems can trigger depression.

Depression is not a normal part of aging. Depression is an illness that can be effectively treated, thereby decreasing unnecessary suffering, improving the chances for recovery from other illnesses, and prolonging productive life. However, health care professionals may miss depressive symptoms in older patients. Older adults may be reluctant to discuss feelings of sadness or grief, or loss of interest in pleasurable activities. They may complain primarily of physical symptoms. It may be difficult to discern a co occurring depressive disorder in patients who present with other illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, or cancer, which may cause depressive symptoms or may be treated with medications that have side effects that cause depression. If a depressive illness is diagnosed, treatment with appropriate medication and/or brief psychotherapy can help older adults manage both diseases, thus enhancing survival and quality of life.

Identifying and treating depression in older adults is critical. There is a common misperception that suicide rates are highest among the young, but it is older white males who suffer the highest rate. Over 70 percent of older suicide victims visit their primary care physician within the month of their death; many have a depressive illness that goes undetected during these visits. This fact has led to research efforts to determine how to best improve physicians abilities to detect and treat depression in older adults.

Approximately 80 percent of older adults with depression improve when they receive treatment with antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. In addition, research has shown that a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication is highly effective for reducing recurrences of depression among older adults. Psychotherapy alone has been shown to prolong periods of good health free from depression, and is particularly useful for older patients who cannot or will not take medication. Improved recognition and treatment of depression in later life will make those years more enjoyable and fulfilling for the depressed elderly person, and his family and caregivers.

"Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is useful, particularly for individuals whose depression is severe or life threatening or who cannot take antidepressant medication."

112/365 - Eat, Pray, Love

Gillian Craig posted a photo:

I wanted to read this book "Eat, Pray, Love" because it looked amazing (and yes I watch OPRAH!).

I started reading it and I came to this part....that completely changed the way I looked at depression and taking anti-depressants.

You know how you always (unfortunately) look to other people to tell you that its alright, or that you'll beat something....instead of telling yourself?
I found this passage to be incredibly powerful....and I wanted to share it with you!

"Depression can be treated in addition to whatever other illnesses a person might have, including cancer."

Ontario Ministry Of Health

"One type of depressive illness is bipolar disorder (or manic depressive illness) which is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression), often with periods of normal mood in between."

Massachusetts Health Insurance

"PTSD symptoms include: re experiencing the traumatic event in the form of flashback episodes, memories, or nightmares; emotional numbness; sleep disturbances; irritability; outbursts of anger; intense guilt; and avoidance of any reminders or thoughts of the ordeal."

Health Insurance

"NIMH-sponsored studies estimate that 6 percent of 9- to 17-year-olds in the United States and almost 10 percent of American adults, or about 19 million people age 18 and older, experience some form of depression every year."

Us Affordable Individual Health Insurance

"Some drugs, although safe when taken alone can, if taken with others, cause severe and dangerous side effects."