Signs of depression can vary from one person to another, and especially from one age group to another. Depression at 30 will be different from depression after 40 minutes.
Depression in adolescence
Young people aged 19 to 29 sometimes get depressed due to serious life changes, lack of support in new conditions, lack of adaptation skills, relationship problems, poverty, injuries, problems at work, etc. It is very important to create a support system during this difficult period of life in order to help either yourself or a loved one stay in touch with other people, discuss future changes in order to reduce the degree of stress.
Middle age depression
Adults aged 30 to 60 years, as a rule, have a lot in common, which can provoke depression: taking care of children, as well as older parents; financial stress, isolation, problems at work and in relationships, diseases and many responsibilities. In this case, no relief in sight. In addition to standard signs of depression, substance abuse, anger, risk behavior, and violent or violent behavior may appear. Encourage your friend or loved one to open to you. Listen to his problems and symptoms. Invite them to take some steps so that they can take care of themselves. Also ask them to visit a doctor to evaluate depression and find out the reason from your doctor.
The age of 40 years is considered a midlife crisis and this is also a period of depression. There is a reassessment of values and the whole life, and not everyone likes the results.
After 50 years, many begin to regret lost opportunities and dreams that are not destined to come true. Everyone has such dreams, but not everyone is inclined to be depressed about this.
Depression in old age
Depression is not a normal part of growing up and aging, so it is often overlooked and left without treatment.
Symptoms in older people include sleep problems, fatigue, sadness and anxiety, problems focusing or making decisions, and mood changes that do not subside (for example, grief over the loss of a loved one should subside over time). Physical and other pains are often signs of depression.
Many older people get depressed by facing common problems in later life: social isolation, large losses, such as the death of a spouse, financial stress, and serious health problems. Diseases and medications can also cause symptoms of depression. Many people do not understand that feelings of sadness and hopelessness are not the norm for older people, and that treatment can help.
Are some age groups more prone to depression than others?
Depression does not know the age, but adolescents, the elderly and all those who are experiencing major changes in their lives are at risk. Are some age groups more prone to depression than others? Not. Depression, like many health problems, is a disease with equal opportunities. It can hit anyone, at any age, from childhood to old age. Statistics confirm this. Starting from primary school, 2–3 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 12 can develop severe depression. 6-8 percent of adolescents over 12 years old may have this disease.
Student years are also difficult. 8.4 percent of full-time students between the ages of 18 and 22 and 8.2 percent of other young people who received secondary education in college experienced at least one serious depressive episode in the previous year. Among young people under the age of 18, 7.4% had thoughts of suicide.
Estimates of major depression in older people range from 1 to 5 percent, but they rise to 13.5 percent for those who need home care.
The common denominator is life stress.
It is clear that depression affects every age group. However, certain periods of life can make someone more susceptible. And they all have one thing in common: it is the stress associated with change.