The lack of interest in the majority of older adults may not entirely be due to the lack of energy to move but may be a sign of depression. They tend to isolate themselves and avoid their family and friends, although most of them feel lonely. Loneliness is one of the constant companions of older adults because of the many factors in their lives that contribute to their depressive symptoms. A survey done by the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that 16 percent of older adults die of suicide due to the severe low moods that they feel. However, a recent study is investigating on the positive effects of vitamins in depression.

Experts from the NIMH have also cited that older men and women who are suffering from a debilitating illness would likely develop depression. Most people often think that it is normal for older people to feel depressed but most psychologists say that it is not a distinctive part of ageing. On the other hand, men and women over the age of 65 with symptoms of depression still have hope in getting better because it is curable. There are different treatment options that they can choose from to help them get through the rough patch. Although, psychiatrists try to find out the cause of depression first in order to know what kind of treatment plan would work better for the specific case.

Here are some common reasons why older people suffer from this mood disorder:

- Older adults that are away from their family tend to feel lonely, especially when they are staying at a nursing home because their families might not have the time to visit them all the time.

- Their fear of dying may also make them feel depressed, particularly if they have some unfinished business with their life. They also see the impending deaths of their friends and older family members. Witnessing such events may make them think that they will eventually have their time.

- As a person gets older, there are many changes in the body that may occur. And when they see that they no longer have the physical fitness that they used to have, they would feel sad.

- They tend to think that they have lost their purpose because they are already dependent to their children, especially when they already have limited physical mobility, opportunities and resources.

- The different medications that they take may also affect their mood. Some older adults with substance addiction are likely to develop low moods.

Older adults are prone to suicide that is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided programs for suicide prevention for the elderly. This site gives information regarding the treatment for depression.

URL References:

cdc.gov/aging/mentalhealth/depression.htm
helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm
nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/older-adults-depression-and-suicide-facts-fact-sheet/index.shtml
webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-elderly

Andrea Cipriani, M.D., of the University of Verona in Italy has just recently finished a study which shows that Zoloft is currently one of the best drugs currently on the market for treating depression. In the analysis of 12 drugs, two came out on top as the most effective and best tolerated as first-line treatments: sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro). Venlafaxine (Effexor) and mirtazapine (Remeron) rounded out the top four for effectiveness, but venlafaxine was also among the four drugs patients were most likely to quit taking because of side effects. The list of the 12 drugs included in the study is: bupropion, citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, milnacipran, mirtazapine, paroxetine, reboxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine. During the study there was no funding from any of the drug manufactures used by the authors.

This study used a new technique called multiple-treatments meta-analysis to make head-to-head comparisons among the 12 drugs, incorporating 117 randomized controlled trials including 25,928 patients in all. With regards to the uniqueness of the study Dr. Cipriani claims that “There has been little scientific evidence of the relative effectiveness of these drugs, because most studies compare one against a handful of others or a placebo, and are often funded by the maker of a particular drug, which can bias the findings in its favor.” Dr. Cipriani also goes on by saying “that the findings of this study don't mean that everyone should be put on Zoloft or Lexapro, and they shouldn't be seen as suggesting that people who are on other drugs should go off them.”

Actually Zoloft does have its own set of side effects that its users show be aware of, the use of the drug has actually been linked to several birth defects which include Craniosynostosis, enlarged heart, Gastrochisis, clubbed foot and cleft lip or palate. Users of Zoloft should also not stop the drug abruptly as severe withdraw symptoms can potentially begin to manifest.

Zoloft is drug that is supposed to treat depression, and although the test made by Dr. Cipriani shows its effectiveness against depression; Zoloft is actually a serious drug and you should consult your doctor before starting a regiment of Zoloft. However, if you believe that you have been injured by any of the adverse side effects of Zoloft then perhaps a visit to a Zoloft Lawyer could be the next step for you. As many Zoloft lawyers will give a free consultation and may not even charge you unless your case sees compensation.