A closer look at depression
LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, July 30, 2009
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Depression is a mental disorder marked by a sad or irritable mood lasting more than two weeks. Everyone gets sad or irritable from time to time, but for most people these moods only last for a few hours or a few days. When these feelings last for several weeks without improving, a person’s way of thinking can be altered and the person may become clinically depressed. About 5% of the population suffers from depression, but this number increases with age, disability, or illness. Depression is four times more likely to strike individuals over age 65 than younger people and can be caused by:
- Medication side effects, particularly from drugs used to treat arthritis, heart problems, high blood pressure, or cancer
- Illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, hormonal disorders, and others
- Genetics – it may run in families
- A traumatic event, such as a death in the family
- Changes or differences in brain chemistry
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