Is the fear of death killing you?

Depression in the American society is becoming more invasive and questions with regard to the impact of depression in the various stages of a person’s life needs to be answered. A lot of people encounter fear of death at some point of time. There could be connection between depression, fear of death and physical illness.

Research has shown that it is more common to fear death in midlife rather than in the later life stages. Yet, depression seems to be a huge problem in case of the elderly, indicating the probability that depression in the older population is not essentially connected to the fear of death. A lot of factors contribute her and the cause of depression in later life might be associated with numerous issues.

A recent study conducted by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece showed that depression occurring later in life might be connected to vascular disease. The study found that depression seemed to be a powerful foretelling factor for stroke. Still, the incidence of religious practices appeared to guard against stroke. It seemed that being religious helped fight depression, indicating the probability that depression added to risk of stroke. As per researchers vascular disease might result in depressive symptoms. It is recognized that heart worms in dogs is one of the symptoms of depression. Possibly vascular problems in case of humans add to depressive symptoms too.

Further research is required to find a definitive connection between vascular disease and depression that result later in life. The findings indicate a need for further extensive diagnostics in case of elderly people who experience depression.

Past studies conducted at the University of Newcastle sought to establish the link between depression and vascular disease and to question the supposition that vascular disease influences, precipitates or is responsible for depression. The outcome of the study indicated that depression might be a factor to vascular disease and vice-versa.

Investigations have been made by other studies on the relation between emotional health later in life and spirituality. Researchers of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland and University of Florida found that elderly often feared anxiety and death, yet they discovered that increase in religious activities did not essentially reduce their anxiety.

In its place, it was found that the fear of death was less in case of people having a sense of purpose. It was discovered that sense of purpose is a spiritual principle rather than a religious activity. It was found that having a sense of purpose resulted in having a positive effect on personal well-being, lessening the fear of death and the resultant anxiety.

Even as further research is required, as per the preliminary findings spirituality is a way of combating depression as well as fearing death in later life. In case depression is an influencing factor in the case of elderly people, fighting depression in later life holds particular importance as it could enhance emotional as well as physical health.