European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 9, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                It. Franklin Williams i associated press j azz musicians have Given voice to that feeling of helplessness and hopelessness Quot the  often people say they re Quot sinking into the doldrums or Quot Down in the  no matter what it s called at one time or another almost everyone has Felt depressed. In fact depression is common among older americans. Loss of self esteem loneliness anxiety and depression can occur As people face retirement deaths of relatives or friends changes in lifestyle a often All at the same time the Good news is that although depression is common in older adults most older people Are not depressed. And for those who do suffer from depression help is available. It s not Normal for an older person to feel depressed All the time depression Isnit a natural part of aging. The ability to Deal effectively with crises and to grow emotionally continues throughout life. Depression refers to a variety of emotional states a from occasional sadness or Quot blues Quot to Normal grief or bereavement to clinical depression. Far More than the Ordinary Quot Down moods everyone experiences no Wand then clinical depression lasts weeks months or even years. It May follow a particular event or occur for no apparent reason. Scientists classify depression in different ways one being to Divide it into two categories primary and secondary. Primary depression occurs in people who have been Well but who become depressed in response to an event or circumstances beyond their control. Loss of social support from family and friends May play a role in the development of this form of depression. Biological variations in brain chemistry neurotransmitters influencing mood also can bring on primary depression in certain people. Secondary depression can be a Side effect of medication or it can occur in patients who have some physical illnesses. For example medications used to treat arthritis High blood pressure and cancer can cause depression. Parkinson s disease and stroke often Are associated with secondary depression. Depression May be missed in older people because symptoms vary and because emotional and behavioural problems often Are dismissed As a natural part of aging. However signs of depression in an older person should not be ignored. Clinical depression can affect the Way people feel and think. Mood changes Are common for example some people feel hopeless worthless sad anxious or guilty. Excessive crying is common. People who Are depressed often lose interest or pleasure in their usual activities and Are unable to carry out everyday tasks. They May not be Able to concentrate remember things or make decisions. They May withdraw from social activities. They May think constantly about death or suicide. Depression also can produce physical problems such As fatigue recurring aches and pains poor appetite and weight loss. Early morning Awakening May be a sign of depression. In addition depression can reduce sex drive. In some older people depression is masked. Sometimes the clue to depression in an older person is not a morose mood or gloomy thoughts but irritating or unusual behaviour. Relatives and friends May mistakenly View inappropriate behaviour As annoying eccentricity that is Best ignored. Sometimes depression hides behind a smiling face. Often these individuals live alone their mood affected by a feeling of isolation. When someone comes to visit or they go out they put their Best face Forward. Some signs of depression such As confusion and forgetfulness mimic dementia or alzheimer a disease. A thorough exam May be needed. The symptoms listed above Don t mean an automatic diagnosis of clinical depression but anyone who notices such changes should see a doctor. Be sure to talk with the doctor about medicines you Are taking physical problems and major or minor changes in your life that might be troubling you. Depression can be treated successfully. Treatment May involve counselling medications or a self help group or a Home visitation program. In some cases a combination of these approaches May be needed. One of the biggest obstacles to getting help can be a persons attitude. Many people mistakenly think that depression will go away by itself that they Are too old for treatment or that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Even people who suffer from serious depression can be treated successfully often in a matter of weeks and return to a happier More fulfilling life. You can help someone who is depressed by making sure he or she gets appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Talk with the person who is depressed and listen carefully. Point out realities and offer Hope. Don t expect a depressed person to Quot snap out of  but eventually with treatment most people get better. T. Fran Kun Williams a geriatrics physician is director of the National Institute on aging one of the 13 institutes that comprise the notional institutes of health of the department of health and human son ices. Dealing with a amps Susan Harris dyslexia a learning difference by Elaine Ayala Cox news service Lisa Upshaw was a Blue Bird. That a what the teacher labelled the Quot dummies Quot who could t learn to read. They were made to sit in the Back of class while the red Birds a the Good readers sat up front. The 33-year-old occupational therapist in Austin Texas makes no secret of disliking her fourth Grade teacher who divided the class. Quot it took me 20 years to get Over that a she says and even longer to find out Why she could t learn to read like the red Birds a or to understand Why her brain processed Quot was Quot As  Upshaw is dyslexic. The world federation of neurology defines it As Quot a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by difficulty in learning to read write and spell despite conventional instruction adequate intelligence and sociocultural  a conference at the University of Texas at Austin called Quot alternative learning styles from theory to practice Quot focused recently on dyslexia and alternative approaches to teaching dyslexics to read. John Hinton president of the Austin Branch of the Orton dyslexia society says Many people Harbor misconceptions about the learning disorder which is caused by a neurological imbalance in the brain a not Low intelligence. For dyslexics learning to read in the traditional look see approach is next to impossible because they transpose tetters and read words out of sequence. Alternative learning techniques such As the Orton Gillingham phonetic method Are necessary As Are various Multi sensory approaches. Quot the thing that needs to be emphasized is that these people Are very intelligent Quot says Linda Gladden a Board member of the Orton dyslexia society. Quot most dyslexics Are of average or above average intelligence but two dimensional things Are very hard. They re not dummies or retarded or  medical science does t exactly know Why dyslexia occurs but the condition is believed to be genetic. It occurs with disproportionate frequency in males. Getting people to think of dyslexia As a learning difference and not a learning disability was one of the goals of the conference Gladden says. Quot the term disability is so negative. These people do learn they just need a different  indeed. Famous dyslexics include physicist Albert Einstein vice president Nelson Rockefeller and writer Hans Christian Anderson. Also on the list Are Bruce Jenner and Tom cruise. And in Austin site of the conference there was cancer specialist or. Demetrius Loukas who was t diagnosed until seven years ago when his then preschool child was found to be dyslexic. Loukas 44, had no idea until then that dyslexia was the reason he had to overcompensate to read write and do arithmetic. Tuesday october 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 17