A new study from the University of Liverpool
has analysed experiences of depression among older patients
undergoing treatments in hospital.
Depression is the most frequent mental illness
experienced by people aged 65 and over. However, despite numerous
research studies on late life depressive disorder, relatively
little is known about how older adult patients view and experience
depression and, in particular, how they interpret the signs and
process of recovery from it.
A total of 30 patients (23 women and seven
men) aged 65 and over participated in the study. All were either
undergoing treatments for major depressive disorder, or had
recently recovered. In-depth interviews were used to encourage them
to share their experiences of depression and, where appropriate,
recovery. All interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed.
The interviews revealed that, for each
individual, depression was hugely complex and variable. At its most
severe, depression imposed a ‘muteness’ on people that removed
their ability to explain or even describe how they were
feeling.
For these people, depression was characterised
by a loss of abilities that arose in most instances from a ‘lack of
desire’. In line with previous research, there was also an
association between their mental state and their physical state.
Patients have identified their co-morbidities as one of the major
contributors to depression’s onset.
Many participants emphasised the impact of
depression on their religious faith, which a number felt had
deserted them when they needed it most. At the other end of the
spectrum, the process of recovery was marked by recognition of
feelings, and an ability to identify positive changes.
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College London 1 - 4 July 2008