Depression
Content Courtesy of the Forever Young Podcast with Christiana Egi and Cherrie-Marie Chiu.
Depression is not just a state of temporary sadness or changes in mood. The World Health Organization deems it as one of the most disabling disorders in the world. Clinical depression is a very serious medical condition caused by changes in brain chemistry that affects the mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral well-being of an individual, and could ultimately lead to death. Some people with depression have many symptoms, while others have only a few. Some of the symptoms of depression may include:
Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
Frequently feeling irritated, anxious, frustrated, or angry
Feelings hopeless, worthless, guilt, fatigue, and decreased energy
Changes in appetite and eating habits; eating much more or much less than usual
Inability to concentrate, remember details, or make decisions
Sleep disturbances
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable
Substance abuse
Thoughts of death and suicide.
It’s important to remember that there are times in our lives when we experience the inability to concentrate, or we have trouble sleeping, or we feel angry. It’s when all those things happen most of the time, rather than some of the time, that we need to consult our doctors. Depression can go undiagnosed and untreated in older adults because they may feel reluctant to seek help. Specifically, some symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as memory difficulties or personality changes, physical aches or pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, or loss of interest. Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things are common in older adults.
Believe it or not, it’s not exactly known what causes depression. But there are a variety of factors that could be involved, including:
Biological differences. People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains.
Brain chemistry is another factor, We all have neurotransmitters in our brains. Recent research shows how our neurotransmitters’ function could play a role in how our mood is stabilized.
Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression as well.
There’s also a genetic component. Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find the genes that may be involved in causing depression.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no sure way to prevent depression, but there are some strategies that can help. It’s important to take steps to control stress, increase resilience and boost self-esteem. Activities like exercise, yoga, meditation, and prayer are all great ways to help control stress. It’s also very important to reach out to family and friends, especially in times of crisis, to help you weather rough times. Know who you can lean on and reach out for support. I also think the reverse is just as important. We should remember to check on our friends beyond the regular “how you doing?” and let them know we are there if they need help.
We bring this information about depression to you, our listeners because we want you to be aware. This is just one part of keeping our minds and bodies young. If you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. If you are reluctant to seek treatment, please reach out to a friend or loved one, a faith leader, or someone you trust. If you think you may hurt yourself or if someone you love may hurt themselves, call 911 immediately.
While the topic may be difficult, we truly thought it was important to bring it to your attention. Remember, there are so many things within your control that you can do to help your mind stay healthy. Don’t be afraid to seek help from healthcare professionals to find a solution suitable for you. Here are some of Toronto’s mental health crisis lines.
The Forever Young podcast is created and produced by Christiana and Cherrie Marie Chiu. Produced and engineered by Elisse Hill. The podcast represents our opinions and those of our guests. The content should not be taken as medical advice. It is for informational purposes only. Please consult your health care professional for any medical questions. If you like our show, please tell your friends and leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. New episodes are available every other Wednesday. Have questions? Email us at ourforeveryoungpodcast@gmail.com.
