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Depression:
Common, treatable—and frequently misunderstood
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Visudyne is not indicated for the treatment of depression. This information is provided because depression may occur in patients with any chronic illness, including AMD. |
Depression is a common illness, affecting about 1 in 10 Americans each year. There are many different causes of depression, including mental changes brought on by physical illness or infirmity. Yet depression shouldn't just be accepted as a "normal" consequence of failing health or getting older.
While depression is a serious illness, it's also treatable. Unfortunately, many people never seek treatment for themselves or a loved one with depression because the signs of this illness are frequently misunderstood. This is especially true in elderly people, whose depressive symptoms may be confused with signs of physical disease.
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Recognizing the signs of depression
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) lists the following as symptoms of depression, noting that not everyone who is depressed will have all of these symptoms, or have them all of the time:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
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Coping with vision loss
Vision loss due to "wet" age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is often rapid, and the person with wet AMD may find his or her world changed overnight. Very active or independent people may find it especially hard to cope with the lifestyle changes brought about by sudden vision loss. Therefore, suspect depression if you or your loved one with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) experience one or more of the symptoms listed above and there is no other likely explanation.
Getting yourself or your loved one properly diagnosed and treated for depression is priority #1. There are many effective treatments available for depression, including talk therapy and a variety of medications. People of all ages can respond positively to these treatments.
Support and understanding are also critical. For instance, don't tell yourself or your loved one with depression to simply "snap out of it." People suffering from depressive illness are no more able to "snap out of it" than people suffering from purely visible physical ailments.
Finally, immediately report any suicidal thoughts in yourself or a loved one to an appropriate healthcare professional. Never assume such thoughts will pass.
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Where to turn for help
A healthcare professional (such as a family doctor) who knows you or your loved one well is a good place to turn when depression is suspected.
You can also check the Yellow Pages for your area under "mental health," "health," "social services," "suicide prevention," "crisis intervention services," "hotlines," "hospitals," or "physicians" for potentially helpful phone numbers and addresses.
In a crisis, emergency room personnel can provide temporary help with emotional problems and can tell you where and how to get further help.
Click here for more tips from the NIMH on coping with depression.
The following online resources may also be helpful:
www.nmha.org
Website of the National Mental Health Association
www.DBSAlliance.org
Website of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
www.depression.org
Website of the National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc.
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Living with AMD
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