Prevention and nursing of senile depression

Senile depression is a common mental illness in old age, and most of the patients with depression have different cognitive dysfunction. The cognitive impairment of patients with depression is mainly manifested as the decline of psychomotor speed, memory, learning, executive ability and attention, and accompanied by a significantly high suicide rate, which seriously endangers the physical and mental health of the elderly and brings a heavy burden to society and family. Its incidence remains high and is increasing year by year, bringing great burden to patients, families and society, and has become an important global mental health care problem, which is listed as one of the prevention and control goals of countries by the World Health Organization.

Geriatric depression generally refers to depression that occurs in old age (≥60 years old), including primary depression (including onset in youth or adulthood, relapse in old age) and various secondary depression in old age. According to the relevant literature, 16% of the elderly over 65 years old have obvious depressive symptoms, of which more than 50% are seriously ill. Depression can seriously affect the physical and mental health of the elderly and bring a heavy burden to the family and society.

First, the cause of senile depression

Genetic factors: senile depression is related to heredity and is one of the important pathogenesis. Studies have reported that older people who suffer from depression have a much higher risk of depression in their children than normal people, and women are more likely to inherit the disease.

Biological factors: With age, the central nervous system of the elderly will undergo a series of biochemical changes.

Physical diseases: The elderly due to the decline of body function, their own recovery ability, often combined with a variety of physical diseases, easy to cause or relapse of depression. Including Parkinson's disease, stroke and other diseases.

Psychosocial factors: psychosocial factors are important reasons for depression in the elderly. After retirement, the social status of the elderly declines, it is inevitable that there will be a psychological gap, easy to produce loss and loneliness. The social circle of the elderly is relatively narrow, and for a long time in this state, it is easy to lead to loneliness and withdrawn personality. In the above cases, if the family and society can not give the elderly appropriate support and comfort, depression is more likely to occur.

Second, the main manifestations of depression in the elderly

Feeling low. When the onset of depression in elderly patients, that is, there is an unknown cause and lasting more than two weeks of low mood and depression. One of the most typical symptoms is a loss of interest in life, work and former hobbies, feeling that life has become boring and boring. Can not lift the spirit, and even feel hopeless, helpless and useless sense of obvious, self-blame.

Somatic symptoms. These symptoms are very common, mainly manifested as: pain syndrome, such as headache, neck pain, back pain, abdominal pain and chronic pain throughout the body; Digestive symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, belching, diarrhea, or constipation; Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, such as chest tightness and palpitations; Autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such as flushed face, hot flushes, sweating, hand shaking and so on. In addition, most people will also show sleep disorders, difficulty falling asleep, shallow sleep and easy to wake up, early wake up. Significant changes in weight, loss of libido, etc.

Slow thinking. The mental activity of depressed patients is depressed. Often feel that the brain is dull, I feel "stupid", and even very simple problems are difficult to solve, so the efficiency of learning and work is significantly reduced. As a result, patients often think that they are not useful, but also increase self-esteem and self-blame.

Suicidal behavior. Many people with depression have suicidal thoughts, and there are not few people who have suicidal actions. Such suicides are often well planned and determined, and may even take extremely painful ways to achieve their goals. Therefore, the suicidal behavior of depression should be highly valued by other members of the family.

Decreased volitional activity. Patients may show slow movement, lazy life, do not want to speak (little speech, low tone, slow speech), do not want to do things, do not want to interact with people around. Always feel that the energy is not enough, the whole body is weak, and even the daily life can not take care of themselves. Not only the past enthusiasm for life, fun decline or loss, more and more reluctant to participate in social activities, and even live alone behind closed doors, alienating relatives and friends.

Third, how to prevent depression in the elderly?

The elderly should be encouraged to take part in group activities. Let the elderly and other elderly friends participate in collective activities, can reduce the loneliness of the elderly, help regulate the emotional and mental health of the elderly, can greatly reduce the incidence of depression in the elderly.