Depression linked to Silvio Santos does not spare celebrities and affects many elderly people

On February 1, after meeting Silvio Santos in Jassa Santos’ hair salon, Milton Neves published a post on X (formerly Twitter). “… Silvio Santos, very lucid, humble and also gave me advice on how to overcome my moments, on how to overcome my already chronic depression,” he wrote.

In recent years, several articles have highlighted a depressive condition in the presenter and owner of SBT. The condition would worsen throughout the pandemic, when he was forced to stay away from the television studios.

In an edition of ‘Jogo das 3 Pistas’, in May 2022, Silvio Santos told Ratinho that he had suffered from depression and did not know the reason. There was a context of humor, which made it impossible to tell whether he was serious or just another one of his jokes.

What can be said is the worrying incidence of mental disorders in people over the age of 60. “IBGE Research Shows Older Adults Most Affected by Depression,” a 2021 Journal da USP headline revealed.

Numerous veteran artists live or have lived with the problem, such as actors Francisco Cuoco and José Mayer, singers Madonna and Vanusa (now deceased), presenters Amaury Jr. and Ronnie Von.

The blog listened to psychologist Alexandre Bez, who specializes at the University of Miami, on celebrity depression.

Silvio Santos is 93 years old. Is the rate of depression in older adults high?

Depression is a psychiatric/medical condition. In the case of Silvio Santos, hypothetically, it could be exacerbated now, having a bivalence, developed by the chronological question and its tendency. In any case, there is a significant rate of depression in the elderly, linked to the end of cycles, be it retirement, the independence of children and grandchildren, even the moment in life that undermines the hope of achieving new things. It can be aggravated by absence from professional activities. A person not feeling useful and productive can lead to severe depression, especially when this withdrawal is mandatory. The social isolation caused by the pandemic has accelerated the retirement process of many Brazilians. The professional cycle did not have an adequate closure, leaving the feeling that that phase is not yet over, which rarely happens when a planned retirement from work is foreseen.

According to some press outlets, Silvio’s depression worsened after the death of loved ones, including his trusted doctor. Is it common for leaks of this type to cause the disorder?

Depression is a condition of deep and continuous sadness and can be aggravated by external factors. Someone’s death is one of them, as it has a great impact and generates stress. Older people are starting to deal with the loss of friends and loved ones more frequently. This makes her reflect on her age, generating a whirlwind of thoughts that her end is near and she has nothing left to offer or enjoy in life. However, only those with a clinical predisposition develop this condition of depression and it is not possible to say what the triggers are.

Depression affects many celebrities and powerful people. Doesn’t having a privileged life reduce the risk of depression?

Just because a person is rich or famous does not exempt them from suffering from depression. The greatest benefit that financial and visibility privileges can provide is ease of access to care. In many cases, being exposed publicly can even contribute to the onset or worsening of depression, as they are heavily criticized and judged.

An article in ‘Veja’, from 2001, revealed that Silvio uses drugs to sleep. Can problems related to sleep quality increase the incidence of depression?

Depression profoundly interferes with the quality of sleep. The more idle a person’s life is, the more active the depression will be, even at night. This situation increases dramatically, as sleep deprivation creates stress and anxiety. In these cases, a combination of antidepressants and anxiolytics (prescribed by a psychiatrist) is recommended, as well as activities that occupy the mind and make the person feel productive.

Source: Terra