Depression All of us feel depressed now and then for a variety of reasons. Even children are known to take their own lives due to depression. Hopefully what follows below can be of some help. Recognizing depression: Sadness Fatigue Memory problems Irritability due to unhappy marriage or other relationship Lack of interest in personal care Losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes Social withdrawal and isolation Loss of appetite and weight loss Sleep disturbances Loss of self-worth Increased use of alcohol or other drugs Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts Medical conditions that commonly trigger depression: Hormonal imbalances Thyroid problems Vitamin B12 deficiency Other nutritional deficiencies Electrolyte imbalances or dehydration Heart attack or disease Parkinson's disease Stroke Alzheimers Multiple sclerosis Cancer Diabetes Medication-induced depression: Steroids Painkillers Hormones Arthritis medication High blood pressure drugs Heart disease medication Tranquilizers Cancer drugs Some ways to combat and prevent depression include: Getting out in to the world , try not to stay cooped up at home all day. Connecting to others , if you are immobile, phone, sms or email Participating in activities you enjoy - pursue whatever hobbies or pastimes Volunteering your time , help others to feel better about yourself Taking care of a pet , get a pet to keep you company. Learning a new skill , pick something that you've always wanted to learn Enjoying jokes and stories , watch a comedy, or read a funny book. Maintaining a healthy diet , eat healthy foods and take a daily multivitamin. Exercising , exercise regularly, even from a chair or wheelchair. Antidepressant treatment: Antidepressant medications may help ease the symptoms of depression. However, if the depression is due to loneliness or poor health, medication may not be the best choice. Older adults are more sensitive to drug side effects and vulnerable to interactions with other medicines they are taking. Counseling and therapy: Studies have found that therapy works just as well as medication in relieving mild to moderate depression. Supportive counseling includes religious and peer counseling. Psychotherapy helps people work through stressful life changes, heal from losses, and process difficult emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change negative thinking patterns and develop better coping skills. Support groups for depression, illness, or bereavement connect similarly affected people. Is it Depression or Dementia? Symptoms of Depression Rapid mental decline Knows correct time, date and place Difficulty concentrating Slow speaking and motor skills Worries about memory problems Symptoms of Dementia Slow mental decline Confused, disoriented and lost Difficulty with short-term memory Impaired speaking and motor skills Doesn't notice memory problems Return