A Phenomenological Study on Lived Experiences of Depressive Older Patients in India

Abstract

Background of the study: Growing old is a precious blessing from nature to humanity. Depression is the most prevalent mental health problems among older adults. Depression is a serious mood disorder. It can affect the way you feel, act, and think. Depression in adults over 65 years is sometimes difficult to recognize, as symptoms can be similar to problems associated with ageing. Identification of depression is the major task of the health care professionals because older people may have different symptoms than younger people. Most of them are looking sad and not interested to do any social activities. They are not willing to share their feelings and concerns.

Aim: This phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences of depressive older patients in India

Objectives:  To determine the types of old age depression, and to explore the lived experiences of depressive older patients.

Methods: Phenomenological Study design was used in this study. In-depth interview was conducted with a purposive sample of twenty older patients with the problem of depression for the period of six months to one year. The data were analyzed by using Hermeneutical approach to identify underlying themes.

Results: After analysing the interviews, three main themes were emerged in this study. 1. Types of Old age Depression (Mild, Moderate and Severe forms of depression present among older patients); 2. Lived Experiences of Depressive Older Patients (Clinical manifestations present among the depressive older patients and their sufferings observed by the researchers); 3. Coping Strategies used to overcome the problems of Depressive older Patients (Methods used to overcome the problems associated with depression among the older patients). Majority of the participants were females (65%) and 55% of them belonging to the age group of 75-84 years, and 45% of them were widows and they have no income. Regarding the type of depression, 11 patients (55%) complaints of severe forms of depression, whereas and 7 patients (35%) have moderate forms of depression. Disturbed sleep, loneliness, lack of social interaction, dementia, psychological problems, these are the subthemes emerged from this study. 

Conclusion This study was mainly focused to identify how depressive older patients are handling their problems and how they are using their coping strategies to overcome the problems of depression. The impact of depression is mainly depending upon the severity of the problem. Recommendations of the study was to strengthen the services of Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation program and home care services to the depressive older patients. Establishment of revival centres for older persons for enhancing their social connections and for reducing their loneliness. Implication of the study was to provide compassionate loving care to our beloved older people and strengthen psycho-social support to the patients with depression.