How in tune are you with your mental health? According to the World Health Organization, roughly 14% of adults over the age of 60 live with a mental disorder. Mental disorders can include a great deal of conditions, including depression.
If you're struggling with your mental health, Greeley, CO, is an excellent community to consider for your permanent residence. Whether you're here for Colorado's endless mountain ranges or to enjoy the close-knit community, you're certain to find something to keep your spirits up.
Does depression cause memory loss, and if so, how can we battle aging and memory loss? If you're curious about cognitive changes in seniors, we're happy to help. Read on for a quick overview of depression and memory loss in seniors.
To start, what is depression? One tricky thing about this condition is that it's shifted in definitions over the decades. Nowadays, "depression" is actually a blanket term for several different conditions.
Depression comes in several different diagnoses, which also makes it an exceptionally personal condition. Depression may affect one senior in a different way from how it impacts another. Some types of depression include, but are not limited to:
Many people are referring to MDD -- Major Depressive Disorder -- when they refer to depression. Psychiatry defines MDD as a common and serious medical disorder that negatively affects your emotional state and actions.
The most important question is, does depression cause memory loss, and if so, how can we stop it? Unfortunately, the question isn't so clear-cut as that.
Depression causes some types of memory loss, but it will leave most of your memory untouched. Specifically, depression can impact your short-term memory, which is in charge of your immediate recollection and focus. Healthline states that short-term memory is in charge of things like focusing on work, on your current tasks, and other immediate situations.
It's important to understand that depression is not linked to your long-term memory or recollection. Your long-term memory consists of childhood memories, information on a specific subject, and other such things.
Another unaffected type of memory is procedural memory. Procedural memory is what we use when we're using our motor skills.
Simply put, depression is linked to emotional wellness but not major cognitive changes. That said, depression does have the ability to worsen other already-existing memory loss conditions.
What else should we expect from depression? Unfortunately, memory loss is far from the only symptom of depression. Here are some other symptoms you should expect to encounter.
One of the most common symptoms of depression is an overwhelming sorrow. These feelings can contribute to your memory loss by keeping you suppressed and uninterested in everyday tasks.
Often, a feeling of numbness can accompany these sensations. These are especially the case if your depression was caused by a significant event, such as the loss of a loved one.
Another common symptom is losing interest in your hobbies and passions. As we age, this is already a natural symptom as we begin to have more time on our hands. Being able to focus entirely on our hobbies sometimes makes them feel like a chore.
Depression can sometimes contribute to this feeling by removing the joy the hobby once brought. At The Lodge at Greeley, we focus on alleviating these symptoms through our Vibrant Life program. Our program provides you with everything you need to regain your passion and find joy in your days.
If you find yourself losing interest in your passion, don't jump immediately to depression. It may be that you're still transitioning to a new phase of your life. Consider seeking professional medical attention instead of assuming you have depression.
Many sufferers of depression also report restlessness and insomnia. One devious trait of this pair of symptoms is that many elderly people already struggle to sleep.
Depression in older adults is linked to insomnia more than restlessness. According to Harvard Health, insomnia doubles the risk of major depressive disorder.
As such, it's possible for one to cause the other. If you experience either depression or insomnia, we strongly encourage you to seek medical advice.
Most people experience considerable changes in their diet, weight, and mood as a result of depression. Many people will experience mood swings, often having more "bad days" than they used to have.
Weight changes, in particular, are independent for each person. Some people may experience an increase in weight, while others may suddenly begin losing weight. That's especially the case for people who have begun to lose their appetite and are missing their usual meals.
A great treatment here is to focus on a healthy and wholesome diet. At The Lodge at Greele, we're proud to offer the Elevate Culinary Experience. Our passion brings healthy and delicious food to you to help you keep your body in the best shape possible while also keeping your appetite whetted.
Finally, sudden aches and pains are common for sufferers of depression in all age brackets. Most of these are physical pains, but there are rarely any marks.
Muscle soreness is one of the most common, while headaches in particular are also commonplace. Many sufferers of depression will wake up with a persistent headache that stays throughout the day.
The natural concern here is that these are far from uncommon symptoms, just as a result of aging. If you experience these sudden pains, speak to a medical professional. There are dozens of possible explanations, and depression is only one of the more likely options.
Does depression cause memory loss? Yes, but there's more to the story that you should be aware of before you attempt to diagnose yourself. We strongly urge you to speak to a medical professional if you're concerned you're showing signs of depression.
At The Lodge at Greeley, we specialize in independent and assisted living, as well as memory care. Our community provides a unique lifestyle with exceptional, personalized, and compassionate care. Browse our services and schedule a tour to find out how we can bring vibrancy to your golden years.