Depression - elderly

Definition

Depression is a medical illness in which a person has feelings of sadness, discouragement, and a lack of self-worth.

Causes

Depression can be caused by the loss of a spouse or close friend, chronic pain and illness, difficulty getting around, frustration with memory loss, trouble adapting to a life change such as moving from a home to a retirement facility, or changes within the family.

Depression can also be a sign of a medical problem. It may be complicated by brain disorders that occur with age, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Depression in the elderly is a widespread problem that is often not diagnosed and frequently undertreated. Many older people will not admit to the signs and symptoms of depression, for fear that they will be seen as weak or crazy.

References

Screening for Depression Recommendations and Rationale. US Preventive Services Task Force, Guidelines from Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: 3rd ed. Rockville, Md. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; May 1, 2002.

Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Screening for Depression, Recommendations and Rationale. Rockville, Md. US Preventive Services Task Force, Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Ann Intern Med. 2002; 136(10): 760–764.

Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder, 2nd ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.