Why Feeling Sad Isn’t a Normal Part of Getting Older

There’s a difference between occasional sadness and depression. Learn how to tell them apart and how to start feeling happier today.   
 
Seeing our children and grandchildren grow. Living out lifelong dreams in retirement. There are many reasons to feel joy in our older years. But with all the changes happening as we age, it’s okay — and normal — to feel sad sometimes too. 

“As we grow older, many of us struggle with isolation and loneliness,” explains Frank Sileo, PhD. Sileo is a licensed psychologist and founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement. “Or maybe you’ve entered into retirement without a plan and feel unproductive.” 

Stephania Sciamano, a retired naturopathic doctor, shares that idea. “There are so many kinds of losses that older people experience. Like friends or family passing or the loss of sight and hearing,” she explains. “Oftentimes, there is a loss of what you thought your life was going to look like that can contribute to depression.” 

No matter what the reason, one thing holds true: Although occasional sadness is normal for everyone, young and old, depression is not a normal part of aging. In fact, some research suggests that people tend to get happier as they get older. That’s mainly because it becomes easier to control emotions. Translation: Less drama, more delight. 

But if you are feeling down, how can you tell if it’s everyday sadness or depression? Let’s take a closer look. 

Am I depressed ... or just sad? 

Depression has some telltale symptoms, including:

• Loss of interest in something you used to love (say, knitting or golf). 
• Weight loss or loss of appetite, or a rise in appetite and weight gain. 
• Trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much. 
• A lack of energy and motivation. 
• Trouble remembering things, making decisions, and staying focused. 
• Unexplained aches or pains. 
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-blame. 
• Irritability, frustration, or anger — even over little things. 
• A general feeling of despair. 

If you have at least one of these symptoms, that doesn’t always mean it’s depression. It depends on how long the symptoms last. A few days of low motivation is normal. A few weeks? Then it’s starting to be a problem, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA).  

What’s more, other conditions share some of the same symptoms as depression. “A fuzzy memory might not be depression. It could be a symptom of an illness,” Sileo says. For example, older adults who have depression for the first time later in life may be suffering from restricted blood flow. Also called ischemia, it causes blood vessels to stiffen. That stops blood from flowing properly to the brain. When that happens, it can cause “vascular depression.”  

Depression is also more likely to happen along with other medical issues, the NIA adds. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease have strong connections with depression. Medications for those conditions may also raise the risk of depression. 

If symptoms like the ones above have been going on for a few weeks, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out if there is something else at play. And they can work with you to find solutions. 

If you’re having thoughts about self-harm, get help right away: Call your doctor, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988, or 911. The person you talk to will be ready and willing to help, so follow their advice. 

7 ways to start feeling happier today 

It’s important to get medical help for depression. But there are some ways to lighten your mental load at the same time. If you’re just feeling blue, these tips can help brighten your mood too, suggest both Sileo and Sciamano.