Depression Can Hit Baby Boomers

By Vonda Sines, Contributing writer

Most of us sit back and daydream about a carefree retirement with plenty of leisure time. We assume life will be calmer, slower and even more rewarding then.

But according to RevolutionHealth, depression can complicate the hopes of many Americans 50 or older.

Signs of Depression Vary

The signs of depression for baby boomers could be the same ones teenagers experience: fatigue, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating or a loss of interest in life in general. Sufferers might also note feelings of emptiness, guilt, sadness, hopelessness and even thoughts of suicide.

Physical symptoms for the older group sometimes include headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain.

However, individuals heading toward Social Security also contend with age-related triggers such as the death of a spouse, declining health and feelings of helplessness as a caregiver for a family member. The chance of depression occurring increases as a person's ability to function physically becomes limited.

Financial worries are also a major source of depression for this group. Sometimes, physicians devote so much emphasis to treating an age-related medical condition, such as diabetes or macular degeneration, that their patient's signs of depression remain overlooked.

Emotional And Physical

Each year, about 6 million men and 12 million women in the U.S. suffer from depression. Nearly 15 percent of seniors experience significant depressive symptoms. By the later stages of life, the ratio of men to women who suffer from the condition shifts to nearly 50-50.

In addition to the classic symptoms, men often experience signs that relate to job stress or the end of their careers. They might react with anger and frustration, violence or extreme risk taking such as reckless driving or extra-marital sex.

Male boomers also tend to isolate themselves from family and friends and could abuse alcohol or drugs, sleep excessively or not return telephone calls or e-mails.

Female boomers might feel unloved and no longer sexy. For some appetite decreases, while others pile on the pounds. A general state of agitation or nervousness is also a sign of depression. So is a generalized feeling of unworthiness. Sadness is often the result of prolonged periods spent alone, taking stock of life up to that point and pondering unfulfilled dreams, unmet responsibilities or stalled careers.

During a weak economy, being able to meet day-to-day retirement expenses can cause worry and even panic attacks.

Risk Suicide Increases With Age

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is one of the conditions most commonly associated with suicide in older adults. Seniors made up just 12 percent of the U.S. population yet accounted for 16 percent of suicide deaths in 2004.

NIHM stresses that while emotional responses such as sadness, grief and occasionally feeling blue are a normal part of aging, a depressive disorder isn't. Depression is classified as persistent when it interferes significantly with an individual's ability to function on an everyday basis -- such as paying bills on time -- and should be treated right away.