WINNEMUCCA - Depression is a serious illness that can strike anyone of any age, but often goes untreated in older Americans.
Dr. Mark Kailing is a Utah- based psychologist with an office in Winnemucca. He noted that many Americans of the "greatest generation," the generation that fought World War II, were raised believing it was not socially acceptable to acknowledge and discuss emotional well-being.
"For the older generation, psychotherapy was not as popular," he explained. "The elderly are less inclined to seek therapy, so depression is under-reported."
Kailing added that this approach has also trickled down to the "baby boom" generation.
"This is not necessarily a bad thing," Kailing said. "It just reflects a different cultural attitude. People aged 70 and up were taught to tough out their feelings. Talking about them was considered complaining. I respect that."
He described the primary symptoms of depression in those raised to solve problems without talking about their feelings as the same as anyone else.
These include irritability, loss of interest in topics or activities the person used to like, low energy, and social isolation. However, Kailing added that anyone who does not believe in addressing their emotions is much more likely to experience depression's physical symptoms.
"People who ignore their feelings tend to get ulcers, headaches, and blood pressure issues when depressed," he said. "They also experience a pervasive sadness, but sometimes if a person has been sad for a long time, they get used to sadness and don't even realize they're sad."
Kailing explained that depression can be biologically based or it can be the result of a person being stuck in an unpleasant or unhealthy situation. Depression may also result from a combination of these two causes.
While he urges anyone who may need medication to treat depression or any other mental health issue to seek professional help, he also encourages those who privately suspect depression due to their lifestyle or situation to take action on their own.
"We cling to old, familiar ways because that gives us a sense of security," Kailing said, "but it can also lead to us becoming stuck. The cure for being stuck is to try new things."
He cautioned that this does not mean it is a good idea to do anything unsafe, abandon values, or make major unwanted changes just for the sake of being different. Kailing recommends doing things just a little differently than usual.
"Anything that stimulates new ideas results in emotional growth," he said. "It can be as simple as reading a book or taking a class." Kailing also encourages strengthening relationships and forming new ones within the community by spending time with other people.
- See SENIORS, Page 32 -
Winnemucca's Pleasant Senior Center Program Director Patricia Tindall further stressed the importance of an active social life for older Americans.
While spending time with people from different generations is beneficial for everyone, Tindall said that the opportunity to spend time with others around their own age can help create a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging can help fight depression in older Americans.
"It is especially important for seniors to have someone their own age around," she explained. "It is important to be able to socialize with others who have similar histories and similar memories."
One Pleasant Senior Center program that encourages older Americans to gather with members of their own generation and younger people is the meal program.
Lunch is served Monday through Friday beginning at noon. It is free of charge to anyone aged 60 and older, though they may make a donation if they wish. Anyone younger than 60 may have lunch for $6.
Community members of any age are welcome to stop by to socialize, play active mind games such as sudoko or crossword puzzles, and log on to the Internet to email, chat, or Skype with friends and family members who are unable to join them at the center.
The center also offers card games, bingo games, crafts, a choir that is open to people of all ages, and an exercise program.
"We offer a resistance training program," Tindall said. "It is a program with hand weights and foot weights that uses the body's natural resistance to tone."
She added that many of the regulars at the center also gather to take walks together. Like Kailing, Tindall noted that any type of activity, especially exercise, can be a powerful tool in the fight against depression.
"Exercise programs of any kind make you feel better," she said. "Physical activity helps stave off depression."
Tindall further suggested volunteerism as a tactic to keep depression at bay.
"We have volunteer positions all the time," she stated. "There are volunteer positions for seniors everywhere. We will never turn away a volunteer. If you're sad, depressed, or just feeling grouchy, the best way to elevate your own mood is to go help somebody else."
For more information, including dates and times for any Pleasant Senior Center activities, call 623-6211.
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