Getting Sadder Is Not a Part of Growing Older

There's nothing wrong with feeling sad from time to time. Stress, illness, loneliness, grief and even bad weather can bring on those brief feelings of despair. But when the sadness takes over your life and continues for weeks and even months at a time, you may be experiencing depression.

One of the most common myths is that it's normal for people to get depressed as they get older. That is not true at all. Sure, our later years are a time of many changes, both positive and negative. But our aging is not an explanation for feelings of sadness.

Depression is considered a serious, but very treatable medical illness. It affects your whole body and changes the way you think, act and behave. And, unlike popular belief, depression can't be wished away. You don't just "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" and automatically feel better. Older people with depression need help from a behavioral health professional.