For years, you toiled hard to provide for yourself and your family. For a long time, you were at your job, you had almost followed the same routine day in and day out. Hence, after fulfilling all your responsibilities, retirement can seem like a time to relax, enjoy, do what you wanted to do all these years, and make up for the family time lost due to work. It can appear to be a rosy time. But not for everyone. After several years of purposefulness and belongingness, this transition in life can have an impact on the mental health of some people. But can it lead to depression? And how can one manage this phase in life without allowing it to play with one’s mental health? To get answers to these questions, Onlymyhealth spoke to Dr Jyoti Kapoor Madan, Sr. Consultant, Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram.
Is Retirement Depression A Thing?
There is no specific illness called post-retirement depression, Dr Kapoor said. However, vulnerable individuals tend to develop mood symptoms during major transition phases of life, she said. It can explain why some people experience depression after retiring from work. Also, in our society, a man’s worth is identified by his profession. Hence, many people start feeling a lack of purpose and worthlessness once a steady profession gets over. It may make them prone to depression, the doctor explained.
Also read: Midlife Crisis Vs Depression: What's The Difference?
What Causes Depression Symptoms Post Retirement?
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All of us need to feel a sense of purpose and belongingness. “As we grow older, we take on responsibilities based on social roles and expectations,” Dr Kapoor said. “The phase of retirement brings with it a general tendency to feel that all responsibilities are finished, and therefore a feeling of emptiness starts creeping in,” she added. People who:
- Haven’t been able to cultivate their sense of self-worth
- Don’t have a social circle
- Rely mostly on professional life to keep themselves busy as means of managing stress
These are the people who suddenly find themselves lacking in skills for managing day-to-day emotional and physical stressors, which can culminate into depression-like symptoms. Then there are age-related issues one suffers from as well as the general idea of ageing, illness and eventual death can make someone depressed post-retirement.
Also read: Do Not Man Up: How Men Can Deal With Depression
How To Management Depression Post Retirement
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Following are some of the ways you can manage depression after retirement:
- First and foremost, accept that change is a natural process of life.
- Also, build your expectations taking into account the various changes you might incur in life.
- It is generally seen that those who can adapt find it easy to manage transitions during adolescence, marriage, professional life, and retirement.
- Have a healthy sense of self-esteem, and do not base it on your professional life, parenting, etc.
- Having “a good social support system, and an openness to experience and change not only prevent mental and emotional problems but also give a holistic sense of well-being,” Dr Kapoor said.
When Should One Seek Medical Help?
Although by making small adjustments in your life, you can easily sail through this transition in life, if you experience the following, you must consult a doctor:
- A persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Anxiety
- Lack of sleep
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy earlier
- Anger
- Irritability
In all these cases, it is better to consult a psychiatrist to manage these better as well as prevent the situation from deteriorating. It is crucial as many people tend to ignore their mental health and accept persistent sadness as a natural part of ageing. Many develop psychosomatic symptoms, such as:
- Gastric issues
- Disturbed bowel functioning
- Complaints about forgetfulness
- Weakness
- Dizziness, and other issues.
For these physical symptoms, they often go to general physicians. Generally, upon health check-up, no physical illness is detected. What they need instead is a psychological assessment, which can help them both physically and mentally. Also, there is much stigma attached to seeing a psychiatrist. Many wrongly judge them for making up the disease. It can deter the person from seeking help. If someone around you is suffering from such ailments, instead of brushing them aside as made-up or age-related ailments, get them checked by a mental health expert. This simple act can help them with a qualitative life in the future.
(With inputs from Dr Jyoti Kapoor Madan, Sr. Consultant, Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon)
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