When Depression Won’t Quit: What You Need to Know

We all get the blues from time to time.

Maybe you’ve had a rough week, or you’re going through a stressful period, and you just don’t feel like yourself.

But when day after day feels like a battle, when you can’t shake the feelings of hopelessness, struggle to get out of bed, or no longer enjoy the things that once brought you happiness, something deeper might be going on.

Depression is a very real condition—especially for seniors—and it’s not something to shrug off. Untreated depression can have serious consequences for your health and well-being.

In fact, new research has revealed that treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is not only harder to treat but also linked to an increased risk of death…

A large study out of Finland has shown that people with TRD have a 17% higher risk of dying from any cause compared to those with major depression that can be treated.

What’s driving this risk? The study points to suicide and accidental overdose as the primary causes of death for those suffering from TRD, with both being nearly double the rate found in people with non-treatment-resistant depression.

This is a sobering reminder that depression, particularly the kind that doesn’t respond to traditional treatments, is not just about feeling low—it can carry life-threatening consequences.

TRD is defined as depression that doesn’t improve after trying at least two different treatments for an adequate period of time. The Finnish study tracked more than 176,000 people diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) over nearly nine years and found that about 11% of participants had TRD.

Unfortunately, the standard medications prescribed by most doctors aren’t always effective, and even when they are, they come with a laundry list of side effects like weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and more.

So, what are the alternatives if standard medications don’t work?

Fortunately, there are several natural supplements that have shown promise in supporting mood and mental health without the harsh side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have been studied extensively for their mood-boosting benefits. And saffron, often used as a spice, has been shown in some studies to be as effective as antidepressants in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Another natural option, St. John’s Wort, has been used for centuries to combat depression.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t wait to talk to someone. Whether it’s a loved one or a professional, the first step to getting help is reaching out.

Depression is not something you have to battle alone, and there are options—beyond the prescription pad—that can help you find relief.

To fighting the tough times together,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

P.S. The depression-memory loss link that every senior must know. Read about it here.

Sources:

Edited by Anushree Chaphalkar. (2024, September 25). Treatment-Resistant Depression Linked to Increased Mortality. Medscape; Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/treatment-resistant-depression-linked-increased-mortality-2024a1000hf1