Last updated:
04-Aug-2008
Depression Increases Risk of Stroke in Elderly
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Anonymous, you make some very excellent points. It's so important to keep the lines of communication open, to try to get your parent out and engaged in the world, and to give your parent as much love and support as you possibly can. I think it's also important to recognize that there's a huge difference between depression and "the blues." As you said, depression is a serious illness, and it may take a lot more than our best intentions to treat it. No doctor who's worth her salt will immediately prescribe antidepressants, although that may end up being a good option. Antidepressants may indeed be mind altering drugs, but depression is a mind-altering illness. We've all been down in the dumps, but depression is much, much more than that. A good doctor will be able to help you and your parent figure out the difference. At the very least, she'll be able to reassure you and your parent that it's just a temporary slump. I also loved what you wrote about this being an opportunity to reach out and connect with your parent. Thank you so much for that.
This is a very helpful overview of depression and its impact on stroke risk. I have a suggestion. Toward the end of the post you say: "...if your parent or loved one has several of these symptoms for more than two weeks, it's time to call the doctor." I would suggest the the first call should not be to the doctor, but to take the time to listen and discuss your parents concerns every day for a week, to get a real sense of where they are and what they need. The parent should be the first person we connect to ... not the "third person" after calling the doctor. "Iif you notice lethargy and withdrawal from friends, family and activities of daily living in your parent, you should first take some time to sit down and listen to their concerns. Depression symptom also ioften "piling on" ( often a litany of loss) . I would explore opportunities for increased socialization (senior center, friends, religious groups, etc). ...long before I would call the doctor. Depression is serious stuff. But the first line of relief is the opportunity to get what is inside - outside, in a safe nurturing and caring environment. As a family member, I'd try that first. After all, an early sign depression is not a sentence of virtual solitary confinement, for which a physician would prescribe mind altering drugs. It is an opportunity to reach out, and you can both connect in ways you never imagined.