Monthly Archives: December 2018

News, Society

Depression is Dangerous for Young and Old Individuals

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Elderly adults represent a considerable section of the general population. However, this he portion of elderly people is projected to increase with time. The mental health issues of elderly individuals are significant during therapy, support stages, as well as policy issues. The high incidence of suicide among the elderly is attributed to increased severe cases of depression. During old age, depression is one of the mental health complications that often presents itself and is often comorbid with other psychiatric and physical diseases usually due to stress resulting from this condition. In elderly adults, depression often presents itself as impairments that are usually linked with aging like psychomotor speed and memory. However, evidence from research has shown that higher levels of exercise have the potential to reduce the chances of developing depression among elderly adults even if other factors such as the body mass index, chronic conditions, as well as social associations are taken into consideration. Moreover, behavioral rehabilitation and prescriptions of antidepressants that can be tolerated by elderly adults can be employed in the management of depression.

The Prevalence of Depression among the Elderly

Depression represents a variety of social and biological factors, and it is often relatively hard to diagnose among elderly patients because its manifestation may vary from the symptoms of depression witnessed in younger adults. Elderly people usually under-report or ignore their depression symptoms and could fail to recognize whether they are sad, depressed, or down. This is mostly attributed to advanced age, lack of comprehension, and shame of being associated with the disorder or a perception that such conditions ought not to be discussed in public. In most cases, common signs or symptoms associated with depression among elderly patients like lack of enjoyment common activities, absence of interest in living, lack of concentration, unexplained chronic pain, or impaired memory are often erroneously associated with old age, poor health conditions, as well as dementia. In most cases, physicians, friends, and family usually interpret such symptoms in a similar manner; as a result depression during advanced age often goes on for a long time before diagnosed.

The world health organization holds that the factors escalating the risk of depression among elderly patients include chronic diseases, poverty, adverse life events, going through a divorce, bereavement, disability, pain, genetic susceptibility, as well frustrations emanating from the limitation of daily living. Moreover, depression is also caused by personality traits, social isolation, separation, as well as the absence of adequate social support. Most surveys have illustrated that there is an association between depression and several socioeconomic factors such as poverty, advanced age, manual occupational jobs, and the level of education.

The prevalence of depression, which is a condition that has been observed to cause complications in life that have an adverse effect on daily activities tends to vary in relation to the methodology used with the figures estimated at 7.2% to 49%. In general, the prevalence of depression in Turkey varies from 35% to 65% in diverse studies conducted using different research designs. Moreover, the world health organization estimates that the prevalence of depression among elderly adults ranges from 10% to 20% globally, but these figures are dependent on the existing cultural situation. Community-based mental health surveys have shown that the prevalence of depressive complications in India among elderly patients tends to vary from 13% to 25%. Even though India is the second largest country in terms of its population, the number of people above the age of 60 suffering from depression is very small that it is not considered a health challenge in the country.

In various systemic reviews conducted to assess the prevalence of depression in France, Spain, USA, Italy, and the United Kingdom residing in private households, it was observed that 14% of the French, 25% of the Spanish, and 17% of the British, 5% to 36% in the USA, as well as 30% to 49% of the Italian population, was suffering from the condition. This indicates that depression is a health complication that transcends borders and affects a wide number of people. Since the projections indicate that the number of elderly individuals will rise by a considerable amount in the near future, there is the need to conduct more research to understand the manifestation of depression among the elderly so that it can be detected and treated early.

As more adults approach the age of 60 years, they begin to suffer from aging complications such as depression. However, the depression manifested in elderly people presents its self in ways that are associated with other aging complication, and hence it is very difficult to diagnose early enough. As the number of elderly individuals is projected to rise drastically in the near future, there is the need to conduct more research on the signs and symptoms of depression in older people so that such cases can be identified early and the appropriate therapy administered. Depression often leads to suicidal tendencies. Therefore, it is critical to understand the complication so as to enhance the development of elderly individuals and improve their quality of life.

 

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To-Do List When Someone Tries to Verbally Offend You

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Bullies are everywhere – and no matter how much you may try to be a good person, there will always be that one person who tries to take your good mood away from you. Regardless if we’re talking about hateful comments, sarcastic remarks, or bellow-the-belt insults, you need to learn how to defend yourself against them.

People may say that responding to verbal offenses is not the way to go – but unless you do something about it, that person will once more try to offend you – this time, with more force than before. To prevent that from happening, here is a list of strategies that you might want to mentally check each time and offending person opens their mouth.

  1. Keep Calm

When someone tries to insult you, the first natural reaction is to get angry. Of course, you want to slap that person silly or to snap back with another insult. However, this is not a good idea for a variety of reasons – and you might want to stay calm.

First off, getting angry will show the insulter that you took their insult – which will egg them on even further. Now that they know that you have been offended, it will give them confidence that they can do it again.

Secondly, by getting angry, you will suggest to the person that there is actually truth in their offense – and once more, make them gain more confidence. They’ll think that they are right – and therefore, will keep verbally offending you.

Third and most important, you will upset and hurt yourself. Not only will this lead to further verbal offense, but it’s not good for your psyche either.

  1. Analyze the Motive

Why have they just tried to offend you? Is there actually any truth to what he or she just said? It is important to have an open mind. If the person who tried to insult you actually has point, then you have to accept the fact that it was not an offense – but instead, just critical feedback. It may seem like a weak response – but in truth, it’s actually a very strong one.

On the other hand, if the offense does not hold any grounds, simply dismiss their attack. You can ignore their remark – but at the same time, you can also make it clear to them that you have not been bothered to your remark.

Pro Tip: Look straight into that person’s eye, pause slightly, and then shake your head in dismissal before looking away. It’s like you’ll be telling the attacker that they are stupid – but without actually saying it.

  1. Dismantle Their Attacks

If someone tries to verbally attack you, don’t become defensive; instead, pull their remarks apart and put your attacker on a hoot eat. Let’s say that they call you stupid; instead of responding with “well, you’re stupid too,” try going with “wow, stupid is a pretty strong word. Mind telling me why you are trying to insult me?” Answer their mean comment with grace.

Chances are, they’ll be thrown off by it and won’t be able to come with a good comeback. However, if their insults seem to be getting out of control, it is best that you just walk away. You know the saying, “just smile and wave.”

  1. Identify Your Own Strengths

Verbal offenses can easily cause you to have doubts about yourself. One of the best ways to get rid of this doubt, however, is to recognize your own strengths and improve your confidence. If you don’t know what your strengths are, just ask a friend and they’ll be sure to tell you.

Keep relaying those statements every day to yourself. Believe in your own strengths, and through this, no one will be able to offend you. This is because you will have enough confidence in yourself to not be offended by their comments.

  1. Forgive Your Attacker

Holding resentment will not only make you feel worse – but will also make your verbal attacker feel better about themselves. Show compassion and let those bad feelings go away. Find it in your heart to forgive the bully.

There are several ways for you to do so. If you can’t do it in your mind, take a piece of paper and write about the incident – along with your feelings. Write a letter to the bully – but you don’t have to send it to them. Instead, destroy the letter (burn it, rip it apart) to get rid of all those negative feelings.

Final Thoughts

When someone tries to verbally offend you, it is best that you do not take their offense to heart. Instead, keep your calm and try not to let their words affect you. Responding to their insults with other insults will not only egg them on, but it will make you feel more miserable as well.

This is why you need to get in touch with your inner self – and not let mean words bother you. Particularly if they are not true.