Question

My mother has just gone to live in assisted housing and is depressed. Has the move caused her depression?

Answer

It is important for your mother to see a doctor, whatever the cause of her depression, so that its severity and the need for treatment can be assessed. The cause may depend on a number of factors. For example, what is her previous clinical history and, perhaps more importantly, her previous psychiatric history? The social history is also important, for example, the reasons for her move into assisted housing? These may have caused the depression and maladjustment, or the cause may be the move itself.

Adjustment disorders are commonly provoked by changes such as bereavement, onset of terminal illness or change of work or abode. The common symptoms include anxiety, worry, poor concentration, depression and irritability, and there may be physical symptoms such as palpitations and tremor.

Stressful life events may precipitate depressive disorders. If the condition is related to the life change, then it should occur within 3 months of that change. If it is a true adjustment disorder and not a true depressive or psychiatric condition, then treatment is largely psychological - encouraging problem solving and discouraging maladaptive coping responses. Anxiety can usually be reduced by encouraging the patient to talk about the problems and to express their feelings. Occasionally medication may be required. An experienced counsellor may be necessary for the problem solving.

Links

• Depression and mortality