Many people believe depression is part of growing older. However, the CDC reports that only around 4% of seniors aged 70 and above suffer from depression. If you're part of that group, it can feel like no one takes you seriously.
We're here to help. Listed below is a comprehensive list of coping mechanisms for depression catered for seniors in Albany, IN. We aim to bring mental health solidarity to our small town, located along the Mississinewa River.
Keep reading to learn what you should know and how to put these mechanisms into action right away.
When senior mental health takes a toll and starts to impact your life, visiting a professional is often the best first step. Through their expertise, you'll learn more about yourself and how to process your emotions.
Sometimes, it can take several attempts to find a professional who suits you. It's important to remember that this is a normal part of the process. Keep going until you find a suitable expert, and together you'll work on creating mental tools to fight against your depression.
Therapy can take you through the journey of healing in a way you can't replicate with other coping mechanisms. A licensed therapist can guide seniors toward better mental health for older adults by helping them learn from the past.
You'll come to an understanding of how you got to this point in your life and learn ways to deal with and accept those experiences. You can use your new knowledge to help you cope with current mental problems.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a specific type of therapy that focuses on the emotions that come with depression. You'll examine those emotions and learn how to use them more constructively.
You'll often receive homework-style tasks that you'll need to work on before your next session. By exposing yourself to these tasks, you'll soon learn how to tackle more difficult situations that can help alleviate the symptoms of depression.
Challenging your innate thought process is one of the goals of this type of therapy.
Sometimes our brains can't produce the right balance of chemicals, which can lead to mental issues such as depression in aging. When you visit a mental health expert, their evaluation may lead them to prescribe medication that can help alleviate your symptoms.
This is another situation where you'll need to be patient. With so many medications available, it may take trial and error to find one that works for you.
These medications can help, but they often require other changes to give you the best results. They shouldn't be the only way you cope with your depression.
When it feels as though depression has a strong grip on all aspects of your life, sometimes a change in your lifestyle is necessary.
Focusing on something new can break through the darkness and gift you with a spark of inspiration. You'll achieve self-fulfillment and satisfaction, which can help in the fight against depression.
For example, working toward better physical wellness in assisted living can be a worthy goal.
Start with a small change, like participating in senior activities and events. Trying to do a complete turnabout in one day is likely to lead to feelings of failure or overstimulation. This could lead you to reject the idea of change altogether and self-isolate.
Combat these feelings by focusing on small goals and remembering to reward yourself for the effort. Once you incorporate that first change into your lifestyle, it'll be easier to introduce additional changes.
Feeling alone is often associated with depression. The problem is that we often lack the energy or desire to change this.
Ignoring your need for socialization, however, is detrimental to your well-being. By reaching out even to a single person, you'll reconnect with others, and they'll provide support in a lot of different ways. They can be invaluable tools when dealing with depression.
It can feel overwhelming to look for emotional support from a stranger. Many seniors can't imagine making a connection strong enough that would allow them to talk about personal thoughts.
You might find it easier to talk to your loved ones about your depression, instead.
Keep in mind that sometimes relying on friends and family can present difficulties as well. You'll need to strike a delicate balance between relying on their emotional support and giving them breaks. If you feel as though your relationship becomes strained, it's wise to seek a different support method.
A support group presents a unique way for you to receive no judgment and close-knit compassion. As you bond with the group, you'll realize that they're going through a similar situation.
You can rely on one another in a way you can't with people without depression.
Even if you have other forms of support, finding a local support group can offer many benefits, such as:
Self-care is one of the first things we neglect when depression takes hold. When you focus on putting self-care techniques in place, you're actively fighting against your depression.
It can be difficult at first, but the more you attempt to keep these techniques going, the easier it becomes.
The good news is that there are a lot of simple techniques you can implement without putting in too much energy. These include:
Finding coping mechanisms for depression is only the first step. Implementing those mechanisms and staying on track requires a supportive community that has your best interests at heart.
At Bennett Place Assisted Living, we aim to create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community for all seniors. We can adjust our personalized care plan for you whenever depression or other mental issues arise so you get the most out of your coping efforts.
For more information or to share your concerns, make sure to contact us today, and we can work on finding solutions together.