Seniors and Holiday Depression

Seniors and Holiday Depression
by Karen Ahrens, PsyD


"Have a Merry Christmas." "Happy Holidays." "Glad tidings." " It's the most wonderful time of the year." We expect that these things will be true during a "joyous holiday season." For most of us the holidays are a happy time to gather with friends and family to celebrate and to reflect on the past. For some, especially older individuals, the holidays can be a difficult time of year. There are financial limitations, difficulty getting around to religious services or holiday events, and lessened ability to write or read holiday correspondence. During the holidays older adults may also feel more acutely the passing of time, the absence of parents, siblings or friends who have died and the distance of loved ones who have moved away. These feelings are generally temporary and the individual returns to his or her normal mood state as the holidays end and their normal day to day routine sets back in. For some however the holidays are a time when they recognize depression. The difference is, that a clinically depressed person suffers from symptoms that interfere with his or her ability to function in everyday life and that these symptoms include much more than just feeling "blue."


Recognizing depression in older adults is not always easy. This generation of older adults, was raised in a time when depression was not understood as a biological illness, rather was thought of as a character weakness. In addition, it is often difficult for an older adult to separate emotion from their physical ailments and to describe how he or she is feeling. Holiday times present a unique opportunity to detect and recognize depression. Holidays often bring together family members who live in different parts of the state or country and they see firsthand the changes in their older family members. Recognizing depression is often done by noticing that the individual is not caring for themselves as they once had, their homes are in greater disarray, they don't get out as often or the individual seems more confused. Some of the common symptoms of late-life depression include: persistent sadness, withdrawal from regular social activities, excessive worry about finances or health, an increase in complaints about physical health or physical functioning, weight changes, frequent tearfulness, slowed thinking or increased confusion and changes in sleep patterns. Left undiagnosed and untreated depression can lead to a loss of independence, increased symptoms of other illnesses, premature death and suicide. However, when properly diagnosed and treated, most older adults improve dramatically with treatment and can recover from depression.


An older adult who may be depressed should see a medical professional whether it be their primary care physician, a psychologist or a psychiatrist. A thorough evaluation should include not only a discussion of current life circumstances and changes, but also a thorough social history and medical examination. Today there are many options in effective treatments for depression including both behavioral and pharmacological interventions. There are a variety of medications that can be safely used in older adults that do not "just snow" the patient. Talk therapy can be done in the office or in a care facility and involves developing new ways of thinking about one's situation and confronting negative thoughts and moods. It is very important that the depressed person find a therapist with whom he or she feels comfortable and who has experience with older patients. Individuals should also try to avoid alcohol, remain socially active, and to talk to a friend or confidant about their thoughts and feelings.