My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague: Eleven Signs of Depression Among Seniors

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Eleven Signs of Depression Among Seniors

Last week, I was watching an old award winning( 7 awards-bottom of page) Polish Movie, Erratum. For the last couple of days, I can not forget the scenes on elderly abuse as well as one of the themes of the movie- poor communications between a Father and a Son. Thus I was wondering if this feeling is a start of mild depression. So I did some search on the 11 signs of depression on seniors as follows:

Types Of Depression

One should know that because everyone is different, not all types of depression look the same. The most common types include:

Minor Depression: Mild symptoms of sadness appear, but they don’t usually last a very long time.
Major Depression: Symptoms can be quite severe, and they won’t allow you or your loved one to eat, sleep, concentrate or participate in any basic daily activities.
Dysthymia: This type of mental condition is known as Persistent Depressive Disorder. The symptoms aren’t quite as severe as the ones of major depression, but they could last for up to two years.
Subsyndromal Depression: The symptoms don’t meet the standards for major depression concerning duration or severity. Symptoms like anhedonia and a melancholy mood are usually absent.

Feeling Hopeless And Pessimistic

Seniors who display personality shifts, like becoming cynical, should be evaluated as soon as possible. Pessimism and feeling hopeless are some of the most common indicators of depression.

Any type of personality change can also be a huge indicator of another underlying issue, like dementia. These changes should be assessed by a medical professional.

Seniors should talk to their doctor and be forthcoming about any changes they might be experiencing to ensure that they receive the best care possible.

Losing Interest in Once-Loved Activities

Anhedonia is a loss of interest in the activities you once loved or a reduced ability to experience joy. It isn’t exclusive to this mental health condition, but it’s considered a main symptom of it.

Older adults with depression might suddenly become uninterested in their favorite hobbies. The physical restrictions of aging can make it impossible for someone to do something they once enjoyed, which can cause or worsen depression.

In certain cases, one may be physically apt to engage in a hobby but will simply choose not to do so. Patients may be instructed to schedule a consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist to diagnose and treat the condition. Visits with a qualified therapist may also help.

Decreased Energy Levels and Fatigue

Reduced energy and constant exhaustion are also common signs of depression. This can happen because of the condition or as a result of any other symptoms, like inactivity, improper diet, and insomnia.

Inaction caused by this condition can lead to physical discomforts like joint pain and stiffness. Exercise is helpful in fighting off this medical condition in seniors. Finding a senior-friendly exercise routine is a fantastic first step.

Physical activity unleashes endorphins that make a person feel right. It also helps build endurance, strength, and energy. Staying fit will also enhance cognitive function. Make sure the routine you or your loved one chooses is appropriate based on age and mobility.

Even adding some quick sessions throughout the week can have a positive effect.

Other Signs Of Depression In Seniors

There are ways to avoid getting completely depressed by knowing its early signs and symptoms.

We might not be able to see all the symptoms of this condition that The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry says to watch out for in ourselves or our loved ones, such as feelings of helplessness, but some of the signs are red flags that caretakers should jump into action.

These usually include:

Frequent tearfulness
Pacing around or fidgeting
Difficulty concentrating
Memory loss
Constant sadness
Thoughts of suicide
Sluggish speech and body movement
A strong tendency toward substance abuse

For complete details read:

https://psychologydiary.com/signs-of-depression-in-seniors/#u=dVlLS0FzeEJxeUc2ZEdLVCtudVJmaElpT0xDaUZuUittT1VzbEJQMHBXTT0=&clientId=1602858576&utm_campaign=572&utm_medium=comcast&utm_source=908610&utm_content=20009

Meanwhile here's a review of the movie Erratum, 2010

Excellent Film On Dealing With The Past

As the title suggests, this film deals with correcting mistakes from the past. In modern Poland, Michal, is sent to retrieve his boss' new American car in his hometown of Szczecin. Through a tragic accident Michal not only discovers his humanity but confronts the broken relationships with his best friend and father. While the film captures the decay of the Baltic port city, it also is one of hope and moving beyond pain. We were captivated though it was difficult to watch for my Polish born wife because of the honest way it captured the treatment of the elderly in that country.

Here are the 7 awards of the Film. Do not confused with the movie in 2021 with same title.

Mar del Plata International Film Festival

2010

Chicago International Film Festival

2010 | Winner: Gold Plaque (New Directors)

Göteborg Film Festival

2010

Busan International Film Festival

2010 | Special Mention: Flash Forward Award

Thessaloniki Film Festival

2010

Camerimage

2010

Warsaw International Film Festival

2010 | Winner: Competition 1-2 Award

Based on the above article, I conclude I do not have even a mild form of depression, although I feel lonely once in a while ( a normal standard for living alone). Thank You, Lord for All your Blessings!!

Meanwhile here' s a latest photo of me wearing my Robin Shirt and my new electric fire place log heater in the background.

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Highlights of My Professional Career

In my more than 40 years of professional career, I have experienced both working rank and file, as well as supervising the work of subordinates. I have worked in four private firms and the Federal Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where I retired. I enjoyed the challenges and difficulties of both types of job situations. This is the highlights of my work experience story.

My first job after completing my doctorate degree was a Chemist for Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a subsidiary of Bayer Corporation, a German conglomerate. I worked for the analytical chemistry department comprised of about fifty people; half that number was either chemists or biologists. My specific task was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticide residues in plant and animal tissues. I worked on my own, similar to six other bench chemists, and we all reported to the same supervisor.

The firm sponsored my visa conversion from a student to a permanent resident, and I was able to legally work and reside in the United States with my family. The company generously took care of its employees. At the end of each successful year, everyone received a 13th month salary bonus. The employees and their families celebrated wonderful annual Christmas parties in a downtown Kansas City hotel, with dancing and free drinks for the whole night.

Inasmuch as I enjoyed and loved working for Chemagro for five years, I found a new job which offered a substantially higher pay. Due to my exemplary work performance, my supervisor preferred and lobbied for me to stay with the company. I had to turn him down because they could not match the package presented by my new employer. It was also a chance for me and my family to move and live in the US west coast, where the mild winter climate is bearable compared to the Midwest.

My next job was at the agricultural research division of Shell Development Company in Modesto, California. I was a Research Chemist, and again I worked individually, same as five other chemists who all reported to a supervisor. My specific duty was similar to my previous job. I worked for them for five years, until the company decided to get out of the pesticide business. They closed their research facility affecting the jobs of more than 200 employees.

My third industrial job was with the agricultural research division of Stauffer chemical company, located in Richmond, California. I was a Senior Research Chemist doing the same project as my two previous jobs. I worked for twelve continuous years for the company, with outstanding annual job performance. I became a Principal Research Chemist, the highest attainable non-supervisory position.

One day in 1986, my supervisor informed me that my job had been eliminated, and I had one day to vacate the facility. It was the most dreadful lay off experience in my life. I felt anger, sadness and humiliation to be dismissed from work with one day notice, after all the years of hard work invested for the company. This was an unforgettable incident and was the gloomiest point in my professional career.
The company terminated sixty research employees, who were upset of the bad news.

One of the chemists was distressed and expressed his outrageous anger by threatening the company and its workers. He told his supervisor of his intention to bomb and burn down the laboratory. He was immediately escorted by the security staff out of the building and into his car. He was informed to leave behind his personal belongings; they will be mailed to his residence. He was warned never to show up again near the company premises or risk getting arrested.

My supervisor was kind and allowed me to take my time to pack up my belongings. It took me two days to clear up my workplace, after toiling for a long period in the same jobsite. We were provided clerical help and office space, in preparation to look for another job, such as updating our resumes, and using the computer and copy machine. We were given six weeks of separation pay plus benefits.

Fortunately, with the help of a friend who is a Church parishioner, I found another job thirty days after leaving Stauffer chemical company. He hired me as a senior research chemist and as a group leader with two technicians to supervise. It was in the same field as my expertise in my previous three jobs spanning the last twenty one years. My new employer was Chevron Chemical Company, and which was located in the same area as my former employer.

This job gave me the introduction and basic knowledge of managing the work of subordinates. I worked for Chevron Company for four and a half years. The company decided to consolidate their research facilities in Texas, and lay off all its research employees. This time I had enough distress and agony from working, and eventually getting laid off from several private companies. To avoid going through any more miserable layoffs, I made a vow that I would never again work for a private company.

In my work experiences, there were noticeable and unavoidable jobsite occurrences. One can never miss the office romantic relationships between co-workers, both illicit and permitted. Though it was frowned upon, there was a boss and staff relationship, which was used as a ploy to get ahead in the company. Some relationships had chemistry, no pun intended, but some never worked out. Oftentimes, there was a sense of distrust among bench chemists for some workers who unjustly obtained preferred work assignments.

Some employees resorted to bribing superiors to get special privileges, such as being able to attend choice conferences and meetings in exciting venues or locations. Likewise, politics was always present at the worksites. It was during an era when various forms of harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination laws were not yet enforced in the workplace. Occasionally, an unexpected chemical explosion happens in a laboratory setting, where luckily no one got seriously hurt.

In the three private companies I worked for, I was able to publish scientific journals for some of the research studies and analytical methods which I developed for the respective companies of Chemagro, Shell Development and Stauffer.

After deciding and making a vow to avoid working in the private sector, I made my new goal which was either to work for the state of California, or the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Four months after I lost my job in Chevron, I was lucky and joyful to be hired by the Food and Drug Administration as a review chemist in the fall of 1990.

In 1994 I was promoted as an Expert Research Chemist with a GS-14 rating. My expertise was on Anti-malarial and Anti-parasitic drug products. In 1997, I was again deservingly promoted to Chemistry team leader, supervising the work of six Chemistry reviewers including five with doctorate degrees.

As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs.

It was part of my responsibility to give advice, instruct and promote high morale and teamwork in my group. My work in the FDA is confidential, until the drug patent on the products I worked on has expired. There are manufacturing supplements that I have approved that are now open for the public in the Internet.

In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award. The citation reads, “For outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership.” I have received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for my review work.

There are many good things working as rank and file while enjoying doing one’s job individually. It is a humbling, satisfying and productive experience, if one can work in harmony with one’s immediate supervisor. Working individually develops one’s skills in goal setting and scheduling. But in general, the financial rewards are less than a person who has supervisory responsibilities.

Managing the work of others has its challenges. Moreover, it develops one’s skill in handling and developing people, and the compensation rewards and benefits are better. Due to additional duties, responsibilities and leadership, supervisory work can be more stressful than working as a subordinate. However, supervisory jobs give one more personal growth and satisfaction, based on my personal experience. My work in FDA as a team leader managing the work of six scientists had been the happiest and rewarding work experience in my career in Chemistry. You might also like:

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Eleven Signs of Depression Among Seniors

Feeling Hopeless And Pessimistic

Losing Interest in Once-Loved Activities

Decreased Energy Levels and Fatigue

Other Signs Of Depression In Seniors

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