By Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com
As the Clinical Liaison/Coordinator for Golden Years Behavior Health Group of East Longmeadow, Kristy Navarro puts her experience and expertise as a licensed independent social worker into practice to assist clients every day. Her over eight years of experience in outpatient therapy in a clinical setting, plus prior work with substance abuse patients and domestic violence and sexual assault survivors has given her a breadth of insight into the many faces of depression across all age spans and situations.
With Oct. 5 recognized as National Depression Screening Day, Prime felt October was the right month to take a deeper dive into what depression looks like in older adults, and how friends, family and the individual themselves, can find ways to cope with and improve this condition.
Here’s what Navarro shared with Prime:
Q: Depression is an illness that knows no age limit, but symptoms can look different in different age groups. What should a friend, family member or caregiver look for in older adults?
“There are changes that occur in this phase of life: children growing up, leaving the home and starting their lives, retirement may be either happening or being planned. For some, these changes can trigger depressive symptoms as they may feel they are losing their purpose.
“Depression can look many ways and differently in different individuals. There is usually a distinct depressive mood including sadness, feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, isolation and being quicker to anger. There may be a loss of interest or avoidance of doing things they used to enjoy. Some people may experience an increase or decrease in appetite which can lead to weight gain or loss. An inability to sleep or on the flip side, sleeping too much, they may be feeling restless or feeling slowed down, feeling worthless or carrying displaced guilt, experiencing an inability to concentrate on things and they may experience thoughts of death.
“Essentially, we are looking for any cluster or combination of significant change in thoughts and behaviors from how an individual experienced joy in life previously.”
Q: If you suspect - or discover - a friend or family member is depressed, are there ways you can help?
“The best way you can help someone who is experiencing any of these symptoms of depression is to have a conversation. Open yourself up to having an honest dialog. Be present for them. When we can just be there for someone and have empathy for what they are feeling and thinking, it can go a long way. We are relaying the message that it is okay to not be okay. The question then becomes what do they want to do with it? And how can you support them in their choice. “
Q: Are there steps individuals can take to improve their own mental health and stave off depression?
“If you are reading this and find that the symptoms identified here resonate with how you are feeling, reach out to a trusted friend, family member or community professional. Talk about your thoughts or feelings to people you trust.
“Depression is a disorder of isolation, and it will keep you alone. Therefore, the best recommendation is to not stay alone in it. Know that it is okay to be honest with those who love you.
“If you struggle to have those difficult conversations about your feelings, it’s okay to write it down and read off the paper. The important thing is that you are sharing your feelings and allowing others to support you. Try to stay connected to things and people you care about.
“There are so many places in the community one can go to for support. They can talk to a trusted professional such as a primary care physician, dentist or medical professional. They can check in with their local library, senior center and/or place of faith. They would be able to help connect you to someone who can help or may have a clinician there you can utilize. If the thought is entering in therapy, there are a host of individuals providing therapy in town. For information or in the event of urgent need, the Behavioral Health Network Crisis Service is available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The phone number is 413-301-9355
For additional information related to depression, Golden Years Behavioral Health Group is available for individual, couples, family and group therapy and can be reached at: 413-224-2015.”
