Royal College of Psychiatrists: New study explores older people’s experiences of depression
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Tuesday, 01, Jul 2008 12:00
A new study from the University of Liverpool has analysed experiences of depression among older patients undergoing treatments in hospital.
Depression is the most frequent mental illness experienced by people aged 65 and over. However, despite numerous research studies on late life depressive disorder, relatively little is known about how older adult patients view and experience depression and, in particular, how they interpret the signs and process of recovery from it.
A total of 30 patients (23 women and seven men) aged 65 and over participated in the study. All were either undergoing treatments for major depressive disorder, or had recently recovered. In-depth interviews were used to encourage them to share their experiences of depression and, where appropriate, recovery. All interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed.
The interviews revealed that, for each individual, depression was hugely complex and variable. At its most severe, depression imposed a ‘muteness’ on people that removed their ability to explain or even describe how they were feeling.
For these people, depression was characterised by a loss of abilities that arose in most instances from a ‘lack of desire’. In line with previous research, there was also an association between their mental state and their physical state. Patients have identified their co-morbidities as one of the major contributors to depression’s onset.
Many participants emphasised the impact of depression on their religious faith, which a number felt had deserted them when they needed it most. At the other end of the spectrum, the process of recovery was marked by recognition of feelings, and an ability to identify positive changes.
Reference:
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College London 1 - 4 July 2008
For further information contact Maggie Lo, University of Liverpool.
Tel: 0151 604 7333 or 07807 185 359
E-mail: maggielo@liv.ac.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Press Office: 020 7235 2351 exts. 298 or 127.
From 1-4 July, please call the Annual Meeting Press Office on 020 7594 8636 or 020 7594 1847.
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