ur at any age, but usually increases among older people. One of the big causes of late adulthood depression is related to the loss of a loved one or spouse. In a study done by the American Family Physician, people were divided into five groups of newly bereaved, long-term widowed, sill-married, the divorced and the never-married. “Data were collected on 5,449 persons, with 223 considered newly bereaved.” (Miller, 2000) These people had a higher rate of depressive symptoms compared with the other study groups. About one third reported depressive symptoms one month after their partner’s death. After two to three months, 12 percent still reported symptoms. These people were nine times more likely to be depressed than their married counterparts, and some remained depressed up to two years after the loss (Miller, 2000). Men and women age differently whether it being physical health or psychological well-being. “In general, men live shorter lives and more often suffer from fatal conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, liver disease and cancer, while women live longer lives and are more apt to have chronic, debilitating conditions, such as arthritis, and require more help with activities of daily living.” (Kavanaugh, 1997)Men usually have a harder time adjusting to changes. They usually find it difficult to depend on others for things they used to be able to do. Men were brought up to be strong and independent when they grew up. They sometimes look at recreation activities as a waste of time and may feel that their lives lack purpose and meaning. “Studies of recent elderly widowers suggest that men may suffer more emotional problems after the loss of a spouse than women do.” (Kavanaugh, 1997).If you have a loved one that you may think have depression for any reason, you should consider these symptoms. These include lack of energy and fatigue, sleeplessness, prolonged sadness, lack...
