SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 AS YOU GET OLDER - DEPRESSION

"ALWAYS REACH OUT FOR THE GOOD. CHOOSE THE BEST IN LIFE."

Why would you do anything else except reach for the good! You want to be the best person you are capable of being--so reach for the best. Just be careful not to always be the 'giver' in a relationship without giving to YOURSELF as well. Give what you feel you want to give from the heart, not because you need to do it to feel loved or feel good about yourself. We all have given too much in our lives. No, I take that back- some of us have given too much. There are those who are 'takers' in life. If you give--give without expectation so you will not be disappointed. Once in a while without expectations, you may be surprised.

Depression affects 6.7 % of all US adults and is classified as 'severe' in 30.4% of these cases. This is not a low number. Millions of Americans have depression. You could be one of those statistics.

More than 50 million Americans paid for mental health services last year. This number is astronomical when you think about that. The usual psychiatric and psychological sessions are not paid for by most insurances. Most of these doctors, Clinical Social Workers (CSW) and PhD psychologists do not take insurance. What happens to the older patients who get depressed? Often the elderly lack the financial means to see a psychiatrist or psychologist. Depression among the elderly is very common.

The conventional medications for depression are also not usually covered under most insurance pharmacy plans. This makes it difficult for the average elderly New Yorker to pay for these medications. It is always the newer more effective medications that are not paid for under the general Part D medicare pharmacy plan.

The first step is for the elderly senior to see a doctor. A good history and physical are important. Certain blood tests that should be done include a vitamin B12, folate level as well as a thyroid panel. An underactive thyroid is associated with depression. I always have believed that an overview of dietary and exercise lifestyle must be discussed especially with the elderly. Both of these can affect depression.

Sometimes a medication might be prescribed but I feel a good discussion with the patient is the first place to start. Possibly there has been the loss of a loved one, a spouse or even a child. In Senior centers in New York City, Tai Chi is offered to help with depression. Studies have shown a weekly class and discussion of depression can improve the overall picture of depression in the elderly. Those who engage in outdoor activities reduce feelings of stress, confusion, anger and depression. I encourage elderly individuals to join the local garden club, or planting club. There is also Horticulture Therapy. In most cases, anyone participating in an outdoor activity or a real connection will nature will improve their overall general health. For me the connection with nature is plants and bees.

Then there is something which I had never even heard of - Bright Light Therapy. Recently a study with 89 patients concluded that bright light therapy improved mood, enhanced sleep and even increased melatonin levels in elderly patients with major depressive disorders. This was published in January 2011 in Archives of General Psychiatry. Life for me is a continuation of the learning process.

A simple remedy is the intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Multiple studies have shown the efficacy of oils for a multitude of diseases including depression, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. The dose studied was only 1.67 grams of EPA and 0.8 grams of DHA. This is small dose compared to the dosages I utilize. I use at a minimum 3 grams and as high as 6-8 grams.

The herbs/plants used are Passion Flower, St. John's Wart, California Poppy, Valerian and Chamomile . Oh yes and Kava kava. I would suggest the involvement of a health care practitioner as some of these herbs can interact with conventional drug therapy.

Until tomorrow...