Depression Disorder And Prevention Of Alzheimer's Disease
Feelings of depression and worthlessness seem to be a
major risk factor for alzheimer's disease. In fact, episodes of severe
depression precede the onset of alzheimer's disease [9-10]. Women with
depression late in life seem especially vulnerable to alzheimer's disease [11].
Depression that occurs even 10 years before the onset of alzheimer's dementia,
increases the risk of developing alzheimer's disease more than 2-fold [12].
Depression, combined with a family history of alzheimer's disease, increases the
risk of the disease more than 7-fold above normal [13]. Some researchers feel
that depression may be the earliest sign of the disease. One researcher found
that 72 percent of alzheimer patients showed depression and social withdrawal up
to 24 months before they were first diagnosed with the illness [14]. Thus, one
way to prevent alzheimer's may be to avoid depression. Learn to "let it go" and
also let your anger go. Holding in anger is one cause of depression.