IMPACT OF DEPRESSION AMONG AGEING ADULTS

Abstract

The Indian ageing population is currently the second largest in the world. Projections are being
made that India will house 300 million elderly by 2050 and ageing adults will form 19% of the
total population. Ageing adult is a period of transition when one has to deal not only with the
physical health, but also with the challenges affecting the mental and social wellbeing. Among
the various mental disorders, depression accounts for the greatest burden among ageing adults.
Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among ageing adults. Depression is a mood
disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest also called major
depressive disorder, it affects how you feel, think and behave and lead to a variety of emotional
problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted that by 2020 depression will
become the third leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression has many symptoms which
occurs in ageing adults, these are sad and downcast mood, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide,
loss of interest in activities, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, or helplessness;
feelings of being keyed up or slowed down, avoidance of social interactions, poor concentration
and memory and difficulty in starting anything new or making decisions. Studies have reported
depression to be more common among females. Other demographic factors that have been
associated with depression among ageing adults include being unmarried, divorced or widowed
elderly, residing in rural locality, being illiterate, increasing age, lower socioeconomic status and
unemployment. Depression has also been shown to be associated with various psychosocial
factors, lifestyle and dietary factors, and presence of chronic physical illness.