Depression or anxiety later in life: getting back
to feeling well

This guide helps you talk to your healthcare professional or to someone you trust. 

Antidepressant medicines – What do you need to know

Visit this webpage for Frequently Asked Questions about taking antidepressants

(Resource coming soon)

Do I still need my Antidepressant – 5 Questions

This resource helps you talk to your healthcare professional about stopping or reducing your antidepressant medicine

(Resource coming soon)

My Antidepressant Deprescribing Plan

This resource helps you plan how to stop your antidepressant with your healthcare professional, tailored to your needs.

what is Deression and Anxiety?

Depression and anxiety are mental health conditions that can affect how you think, feel and act. They can make daily life harder and cause emotional distress.

Depression often feels like constant sadness or losing interest in things you usually enjoy, most of the day.

Anxiety is when you feel strong worry, fear, or nervousness about things that feel more threatening or serious than they actually are. These feelings can be hard to manage or control.

 

why Might I be Feeling this way?

Depression and anxiety can happen to anyone at any time of their life. As we get older, changes in our health, losing loved ones, or feeling lonely can leave us sad or anxious. However, feeling down or anxious for many weeks is not a normal part of ageing.

 

What Choices do i have? 

There are many ways to get back to feeling well. It can take time to find what works best for you. There are changes that you can make to your day-to-day living. There are also options involving health professionals or medicines.

Check out our guide to Depression and anxiety in later life: getting back to feeling well for tips on what might work best for you.

 

What are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are medicines used to help you manage your depression or anxiety. For older people, antidepressants can play an important role in supporting mental health. However, their effects, benefits, and potential risks may change as you age.

For more information on

• how antidepressants work,
• possible side effects of antidepressants, or
• important things to think about before taking them,

Visit our page on Antidepressant medicines – What do you need to know (resource coming soon in January 2025)

 

How do I choose the right antidepressant?

When deciding on antidepressants, it’s important to talk with your healthcare professional about what works best for you. This includes looking at:

• how well the medicine works,
• any side effects,
• your overall health, and
• how easy it is to stop the medicine if needed.

Managing antidepressants in later life can feel challenging, but small steps can make a difference. It’s helpful to:

• Monitor how you’re feeling regularly.
• Keep track of any side effects or changes.
• Talk openly with your healthcare professional about your concerns.

For more information about depression and anxiety in older people, check out the Depression or Anxiety in later life: getting back to feeling well resource.

 

Should I stop taking antidepressants? 

There are many reasons why someone might want to stop taking their antidepressant medicine. Over time, your healthcare professional may also suggest reviewing your medication to see if it’s still the right option for you.

If you are thinking about reducing or stopping your antidepressant, it’s important to do so safely, with support from your healthcare professional. Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms or the return of your original symptoms.

• Use the Do I Still Need My Antidepressant – 5 Questions (resource coming soon in January 2025) resource to help you have clear and helpful conversations with your healthcare professional about whether your antidepressant is still right for you.
• Use the My Antidepressant Deprescribing Plan to work with your healthcare professional on a safe, step-by-step plan to reducing or stopping your antidepressant, tailored to your needs.

Need more information?

To contact the Health Care Consumers Association or to register to receive updates on this project see Contact.

We recommend using Choosing Wisely’s 5 questions to ask your doctor or other health care provider before you get any test, treatment or procedure.

Learn more about questions to ask your doctor and finding good health information online on the Canberra Health Literacy Hub.

Are you a health professional looking for more information about managing eczema? QHUB provides free and high-quality education and resources that support safe and appropriate use of medicines.