Depression is a devastating condition that frequently has a negative impact on your mood, temperament, and energy levels, as well as causes anxiety about the future. It is important to be aware of the effects it causes, even though approximately 15% of oversleepers suffer from depression.
One could possibly undergo exhaustion and brain fog, stop participating in routine activities, and accept defeat, knowing that their symptoms will ultimately never get better. With many depression onsets, the cause of the detrimental condition can occasionally be obscured by a symptom that seems unimportant, such as excessive sleeping.
Let’s take a closer look at the possibility that oversleeping among older adults is a sign of depression, and how to manage it.
How to deal with an oversleeping issue in the elderly?
Oversleeping is often associated with a lack of motivation and low energy, and while one cannot rule out excessive sleeping as depression, in older adults it may be possible. Sleeping past the point of exhaustion or excessive sleeping is frequently dismissed by older adults as simply being tired or a natural part of ageing, but it may be an indication of depression in some cases. Therefore, this calls for serious investigation by family members and healthcare professionals to determine whether it is a natural part of the ageing process or a symptom of depression.
Recognise the signs and take action
Oversleeping can also cause cognitive decline in the elderly and should be taken seriously. Family members should be on the lookout for changes in sleeping patterns, especially when combined with other indicators of depression such as social isolation, loss of appetite, or fatigue. For the betterment of the mental health of the elderly, a professional caregiver can be contacted in order to further assess the situation and create a personalized plan of care.
A close investigation of the sleep routine
When it comes to monitoring and tracking the sleep patterns of the elderly, family members frequently have the most insight. However, sometimes family members may be unaware of the severity of the issue or simply lack the experience and expertise to identify an underlying psychological disorder. Henceforth, a medical intervention is required to rule out any underlying medical or psychological condition that could be contributing to the changes in sleep patterns.
Management of depression
There is also an increased risk that the physiological condition can also escalate into much more life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic ailments. Also, it is the major cause of Alzheimer’s and dementia and should be managed as soon as possible in order to control any mental health conditions that might worsen if not treated. Therefore, proper medical treatment and caregiving may result in significant improvements in an individual’s mental health. Professional carers can also aid in cognitive and lifestyle modifications such as light exercise and good nutrition, which can improve sleep and have a positive effect on an elderly person’s overall quality of life.
Finally, the elderly should be provided with the care and attention they require to maintain their mental and physical health so that it won’t escalate into cognitive decline. Although ageing is an unavoidable natural process, early detection of mental health issues can help prevent more serious problems from developing later on. To help counter this, family members and caregivers should be aware of the signs of mental health issues and any sudden changes in behaviour that may indicate a problem.
(The writer, Dr. Prateek Bhardwaj, is the COO of Vesta Elder Care.)
