The Growing Risk of Senior Depression and Its Greater Threat Compared to Dementia

“Recently, elderly depression (age-related depression) has been rapidly increasing. Depression can occur regardless of age, but according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the prevalence of depression among those aged 65 and over reaches 13.5%. With Japan’s aging population rapidly increasing and the proportion of seniors continuing to grow, the issue of elderly depression has become more apparent and relatable.”

This is being discussed by Dr. Takashi Hosaka, a psychiatrist and director of the Hosaka Psycho-Oncology Clinic. Dr. Hosaka recently published “How to Live Free from ‘Elderly Depression’ That Only a Psychiatrist Knows” (Shufu-to-Seikatsu Sha), and has shared his thoughts on aging in other works as well.

According to Dr. Hosaka, depression not only makes daily life painful and difficult, but also, if left untreated, can lead to a vicious cycle of becoming reclusive, weakening physically, and further risking dementia and bedridden conditions. In fact, many elderly people find depression scarier than dementia.

As for the author, having passed 50, they are now a member of the aging population. They find ‘elderly depression’ to be a serious concern. While dementia seems to be the primary issue in old age, they wonder what exactly elderly depression entails.

“Elderly depression can present symptoms similar to those of dementia, and sometimes both conditions can occur simultaneously, leading to confusion between the two. Dementia generally begins with memory issues like forgetfulness and progresses slowly.

On the other hand, elderly depression can be triggered by stress and lead to physical symptoms such as insomnia and loss of appetite, as well as psychological symptoms like anxiety and decreased motivation. In cases of elderly depression, many people are aware that their cognitive functions are declining even though their awareness is clear and they can still move. This makes distinguishing it from dementia necessary. A key difference is that in elderly depression, there is a strong sense of suffering and lack of happiness, which is not typically found in dementia.”

The author still feels their cognitive abilities are unreliable and is not experiencing happiness. As a general rule, are seniors more prone to depression?

“Some seniors fall into a depressive state triggered by losing connections with society after retirement, the death of a partner, spouse, or friends, or the independence of their children. As people age, they experience a decline in physical strength and memory, and can no longer do things they once could. While these changes are natural, people often focus on what they can no longer do, leading to discouragement and a loss of confidence.

Additionally, the number of seniors living alone is increasing, and some of them mistakenly equate living alone with loneliness, leading to strong feelings of isolation. These issues, loss and loneliness—are common among seniors to varying degrees, but those who are particularly troubled by the uncertainty of the future are more likely to develop elderly depression.”

Given these conditions in old age, it could be said that many seniors are potentially at risk of elderly depression.

According to Dr. Hosaka, signs that one might be developing elderly depression include becoming easily irritated or prone to anger over minor issues. As people age, their thinking often becomes more rigid, leading to increased stubbornness. This emotional aging makes it harder to manage anger and can be a sign of declining emotional health. However, since many seniors are aware of becoming more stubborn, Dr. Hosaka suggests looking for more obvious indicators.

“One indicator of emotional stability is whether one’s home is tidy. If someone’s home is so cluttered that there’s no space to walk, it’s likely that their mind and emotions are also disorganized. Such individuals are considered to be at a significant risk of developing elderly depression.”

 

The author notes that their home is quite messy and wonders if they might already be at risk. They question whether the way to face the common challenges of old age is crucial in determining whether one develops elderly depression, and if it ultimately comes down to one’s mindset.

“Yes, indeed. In life, it’s necessary to accept that there are things beyond our control. For those things beyond our control, adopting a detached perspective and focusing our efforts on ‘things that can be managed’ is key to living a fulfilling life.

For instance, it might be helpful to stop trying to be a good person and instead act in a way that is true to yourself, or to live within your means financially, aligning your lifestyle with your budget. It’s important to relax and adopt a more flexible approach to life.

Additionally, many seniors express that ‘being alone is lonely,’ but why not try doing things on your own first? Once you get used to it, you may come to appreciate the comfort of being alone and develop a sense that being alone is okay.”

Other preventive measures include:

– Deep breathing to ensure oxygen reaches your entire body

– Light exercise such as walking or stretching

– Listening to your favorite music or watching movies

– Receiving massages or acupressure

Paying attention to your physical and mental balance is important. Sometimes, simply changing your mindset can alleviate anxiety. However, if there’s a real possibility of elderly depression’ it is advisable to consult a psychosomatic medicine specialist or mental health clinic. Early detection and appropriate treatment can prevent the condition from worsening.

“Many seniors who initially planned to relax after retirement find themselves bored and wanting to return to work. This is because people generally prefer to be of use, be needed by others, and maintain connections rather than spending their days in idleness.”

The author, having passed 50 and lacking retirement savings, is likely to need to continue working into old age. Even if they experience depression at that point.

“As mentioned, some people continue working for financial reasons, but regardless, being able to work means you are needed. This is also true for community or volunteer activities. The feeling of being needed and being of use contributes to hope.”

Instead of lamenting the lack of savings, the author also wants to work with the hope of being needed and making a difference, and stay free from elderly depression!

How to live a life free from “geriatric depression” that I know because I am a psychiatrist” (written by Takashi Hosaka, published by Shufu To Seikatsu Sha)