Understanding major depression seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. depression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. It occurs when feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration get in the way of your life over a long period of time. Most people feel this way once in a while.
Major depression is a mood disorder. It is believed that chemical changes in the brain are responsible. It also changes how your body works.
Causes
Health care providers do not know the exact causes of depression. Or it may be triggered by certain stressful events. This may be due to how your genes work. Other types occur even if you have no family history of the illness. More likely, it is a combination of both.
Some types of depression run in families. It is hard for you to imagine that a problem or situation can be solved in a positive way.
Symptoms of depression can include:
– Agitation, restlessness, irritability, and anger
– Becoming withdrawn or isolated
– Fatigueand lack of energy
– Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, and self-hate
– Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed including sex
– Sudden change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
– Thoughts of death orsuicide
– Trouble concentrating
– Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Depression in teensmay be harder to recognize. Anyone can develop depression, including children andteens.
Depression may be brought on by:
– Alcoholordrug use
– Certain medical problems, such as anunderactive thyroid,cancer, or long-term pain
– Some kinds of medicines, such as steroids or beta-blockers
– Sleeping problems
– Social isolation (a common cause of depression in older adults)
– Stressful life events, such as death or illness of someone close to you, divorce, medical problems, childhood abuse or neglect, loneliness (common inolder people), and relationship breakup
Symptoms
Depression can change or distort the way you see yourself, your life, and those around you.
With depression, you often see everything in a negative way. This condition is called depression with psychotic features.
Exams and Tests
Your provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms. Problems with school, behavior, or alcohol or drug use can all be signs.
If depression is very severe, you may havehallucinationsor delusions (false beliefs). The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the depression and what you or your provider prefer. Your answers can help your provider diagnose depression and determine how severe it may be.
Blood and urine tests may be done to check for other medical conditions that have symptoms similar to depression.
📖 Treatment
Treatment
Depression can be treated. Your treatment plan may need to be changed.
MEDICINES
Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression. Treatment often includes medicines, with or without talk therapy but sometimes, talk therapy is used alone.
If you are thinking about suicide or are very depressed and cannot function, you may need to be treated in a hospital.
After you have been on treatment, if you feel your symptoms are getting worse, talk with your provider. This helps relieve your symptoms.
The antidepressant medicines typically used are:
– Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
– Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
If you have delusions or hallucinations, your provider may prescribe additional medicines.
Tell your provider about any other medicines you take. They work by bringing back the chemicals in your brain to the right levels. It may take a few weeks before you feel better. Some medicines can change the way antidepressants work in your body.
Allow your medicine time to work. Ask your provider about possible side effects, and what to do if you have any.
If you feel your medicine is not working or causing side effects, tell your provider. Keep taking your medicine as instructed.Do not stop taking itor change the amount (dosage) you are taking without talking to your provider. Do not stop taking medicines on your own.
WARNING
Children, teens, and young adults should be watched closely for suicidal behavior. The medicine or its dosage may need to be changed. John’s wort. This is especially true during the first few months after starting medicines for depression.
Women being treated for depression who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant should not stop taking antidepressants without first talking to their provider.
Beware of natural remedies such as St. It may help some people with mild depression. This is an herb sold without a prescription. Talk to your provider before trying this herb.
If you feel your medicine is making you worse or causing new symptoms (such as confusion), tell your provider right away. But it can change the way other medicines work in your body, including antidepressants. You learn how to become more aware of your symptoms and how to spot things that make your depression worse. Go to an emergency room if you are concerned about your safety.
TALK THERAPY
Talk therapy is counseling to talk about your feelings and thoughts, and help you learn how to deal with them.
Types of talk therapy include:
– Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you how to fight off negative thoughts. – Psychotherapy can help you understand the issues that may be behind your thoughts and feelings. You are also taught problem-solving skills. Your therapist or provider can tell you more about group therapy. – At group therapy, you share with others who have problems like yours. ECT is generally safe.
OTHER TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION
Your provider may also use the following treatments:
– Electroconvulsive therapy(ECT) may improve mood in people with severe depression or suicidal thoughts who do not get better with other treatments. – Light therapy may relieve depression symptoms in the winter time. – Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can also be a useful treatment if medicines are not helpful.
📖 Outlook (Prognosis)
Outlook (Prognosis)
You may start feeling better a few weeks after starting treatment. This type of depression is calledseasonal affective disorder. If your depression keeps coming back, you may need to stay on your medicine for a long period.
Long-term (chronic) depression may make it harder for you to manage other illnesses such asdiabetesorheart disease. If you take medicine, you will need to stay on the medicine for several months to feel good and prevent depression from returning. Talk to your provider about getting help.
📖 When to Contact a Medical Professional
When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you are thinking about hurting yourself or others, call or text 988 or chat988lifeline.org. Ask your provider for help in managing these health problems.
Alcohol or drug use can make depression worse. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night..
You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.
Contact your provider right away if:
– You hear voices not coming from people around you. DO NOT delay.
If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. – Your depression is disrupting work, school, or family life. – You have frequent crying spells with little or no reason. DO NOT stop or change your medicine without talking to your provider. – You think that your current medicine is not working or is causing side effects. These substances make depression worse and may lead to thoughts of suicide.
Take your medicine exactly as your provider instructed.
📖 Prevention
Prevention
Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. – keep good sleep habits. Learn to recognize the early signs that your depression is getting worse.
Keep going to your talk therapy sessions.
The following tips may help you feel better:
– Get more exercise. – Volunteer or get involved in group activities. – Do activities that bring you pleasure. – Try to be around people who are caring and positive. – Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling. Your workplace employee assistance program (EAP) is also a good resource.Online resourcescan also provide good information.
📖 Alternative Names
Alternative Names
Depression – major; Depression – clinical; Clinical depression; Unipolar depression; Major depressive disorder
📖 Images
– Forms of depression
– Depression and men
– St.
Learn more about depression by contacting a local mental health clinic. Depressive disorders.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). John’s Wort
– Walking for health
📖 References
American Psychiatric Association website. Depressive disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.
Fava M, Mischoulon D, Cassano P, Papakostas GI, Stern TA. 3rd ed. In: Stern TA, Wilens TE, Fava M, eds.Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Psychiatric disorders in medical practice. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 28.
Lyness JM, Lee HB. 27th ed. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds.Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Mood disorders. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 362.
Manak CK, Kim RK. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds.Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. In: Kliegman RM, St. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 39.
National Institute of Mental Health website. 22nd ed. Updated December 2024. Depression.www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression. Accessed May 7, 2025.
📖 Test Your Knowledge
Test Your Knowledge
– Test Your Knowledge about Depression Treatment
About the Author: This article was researched and written by the SilverWell Hub editorial team. It was medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics.
Sources: This article is adapted from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine. Additional review by the SilverWell Hub medical review board.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See our full Medical Disclaimer.
Published: July 08, 2026 | Next review: January 2027
