Monday, May 04, 2009

Health Tips for May 4

Health Tip: Depression Among Seniors

Depression affects more than 6 million people aged 65 or older in the United States, but only about 10 percent of them are treated, the Cleveland Clinic says.

The clinic offers this list of risk factors for depression in seniors:
  • Living alone without much social interaction.
  • Having persistent pain or illness.
  • Being overly afraid of dying.
  • Having a family history or personal history of depression or suicide attempts.
  • Having had a recent bereavement, such as the death of a close family member.
  • Having problems with drugs or alcohol.
  • Taking certain medications, alone or combined with other medications.
  • Problems with body image after a surgery or major illness, such as cancer or heart disease.
Health Tip: Depression Among Teens

With all of the physical, emotional and hormonal changes in their lives, some teens are especially prone to depression.

Here are factors that could trigger depression in teens, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
  • Undergoing a particularly stressful event, such as the death of a family member or parental divorce.
  • Being physically or sexually abused as a child.
  • Having a lack of social skills.
  • Having a chronic illness.
  • Living with another family member who suffers from depression.

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