For some people, retirement is something that they literally work and plan for their entire adult life. They usually know exactly what they will do with their time. For others, retirement turns out to be nothing like they had imagined. In fact, some seniors become bored and depressed, which can eventually affect their health in retirement. Whether you recognize the symptoms of depression in yourself or you are a family member who is concerned about a retired loved one, you should know about the warning signs.

Like many other mental disorders, there are many causes of depression. It may be reaction to medication or treatment; it could be stress-related because of personal or work issues; or it might be in responds to emotional stress, such as bereavement. Depression may also be the result underlying illnesses that affect the central nervous system or areas of the brain that control emotion, such as Alzheimer’s or a brain tumor

Depression in seniors is different from depression that afflicts younger people. Seniors are also better than people of younger generations at hiding their depression from people around them. Friends, family and health care professionals also have their own views and expectations of what depression is. In order to be able to distinguish the behavior of someone developing depression, you have to know what behavior is normal for that person before depression set in. Unfortunately, most senior retirees may not be aware that they are suffering from depression.

Some signs to look for if you suspect a retiree is suffering from depression include constant sad mood or mood swings, increased lethargy, lack of energy, increased agitation or violence, loss of interest and appetite, sudden unexplained weight loss, change in sleeping habits, lack of concentration, and thoughts or talk of death or suicide.

In addition, signs of depression are often misdiagnosed or mistaken for something else. Everyone assumes that appetite, sleep troubles and forgetfulness is a part of growing older. However, many older adults experience no symptoms whatsoever. Therefore, you have to think back to whether these problems were ever present before retirement.

Retirees who are experiencing depression tend to stop doing some of the things they use to do before the depression. For instance, they may stop meeting friends for coffee or listening to music. They may put off going to church or socializing with neighbors and family. They may also develop uncharacteristic behaviors for the first time. Embarrassment or shame may prevent someone from dealing with depression and seeking help.

If left untreated, depression can weaken the body’s immune system and left you more susceptible to illness. Additionally, other mental disorders can occur as well. Suicide is a problem among depressed seniors. Of course, depression could be as simple as a chemical imbalance that occurs as one’s body ages. In all of these instances, depression can be treated. However, sometimes it takes the initiative and caring of friends and family to help the retired senior seek treatment and to deal with his depression.

Retirement is not a death sentence, although some seniors may feel that it is. Some seniors feel that their day of being useful is over and they don’t have anything else to live for. Overcoming depression in seniors can be achieved by finding meaningful activity to fill idle time. By having goals and plans in place, retirement does not have to become a depressing time for seniors. Here are some ideas of how to live those golden years:

1.  Take up a new hobby. If you have a goal of learning something new, your mind is kept engaged and depression has a much harder time to take hold.

2.  Indulge in some continuing education courses. Learning new things like the internet or creating web pages could open a whole new avenue.

3.  Volunteer. By giving your time to a worthy cause, you feel useful and your time is making a difference for someone less fortunate. There are plenty of ways to volunteer whether it is through a church, social organization or even through a school. Recent studies indicate that volunteering may lowers your stress level.

4. Find a part time job. Earning a few extra bucks during the golden years allows you to not only feel useful and earn a wage, but you also get to keep in touch with people and to meet new people.

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