Diagnosing depression in the elderly

Diagnosing depression in the elderly

  • Recognizing depression in the elderly starts with knowing the signs and symptoms. Depression red flags include: While depression and sadness might seem to go hand and hand, many depressed seniors claim not to feel sad at all. They may complain, instead, of low motivation, a lack of energy, or physical problems.

In older adults, the Geriatric Depression Scale is also an appropriate screening tool for depression. If screening is positive for possible depression, the diagnosis should be confirmed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., criteria.Author:
Douglas M Maurer, Tyler J Raymond, Bethany N DavisCited by:
Publish Year:
2018

Why is it sometimes difficult to diagnose depression in older adults?

Depression in older adults may be difficult to recognize because they may show different symptoms than younger people . For some older adults with depression , sadness is not their main symptom. They may have other, less obvious symptoms of depression , or they may not be willing to talk about their feelings.

How does age play a role in the diagnosis of depression?

Age greatly affects the way in which depression develops, as well as the rate at which depression appears in individuals. Across the board, research shows that women report depression more often than men, and that depression is more common among the financially and socially disparaged.

What is the most common psychiatric disorder in the elderly?

The Significance of Depression Depression , a type of mood disorder , is the most prevalent mental health problem among older adults. It is associated with distress and suffering (4). It also can lead to impairments in physical, mental, and social functioning (4).

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What are the causes of late life depression?

Causes and Risk Factors for Late – Life Depression Delayed , complicated grief. Social isolation. Disability. Financial concerns and struggles. Using a number of medications to treat physical problems.

What helps elderly anxiety?

When talking with an older adult who has an anxiety problem: Be calm and reassuring. Acknowledge their fears but do not play along with them. Be supportive without supporting their anxiety . Encourage them to engage in social activities. Offer assistance in getting them help from a physician or mental health professional.

What is the best antidepressant for the elderly?

When it comes to antidepressants for seniors, most experts recommend SSRIs or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which help increase the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs tend to have fewer serious side effects and drug interactions than older antidepressants on the market.

What percent of the elderly population suffers from clinical depression?

Prevalence of depression among older adults According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression affects about 1%-5% of the general elderly population , 13.5% in elderly who require home healthcare, and 11.5% in older hospital patients.

What are the psychological problems of elderly?

7 Things That Cause Psychological Problems In The Elderly? Physical health. Along with age comes a host of physical problems that can restrict activity. Isolation. Loss. Dependency. Declining memory. Lack of exercise. Insomnia .

What age group has the highest rate of depression?

This means that women ages 40 to 59 have the highest rate of depression (12.3 percent ) of any group based on age and gender in the U.S., according to the report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In all other age groups as well, women had higher rates of depression than men did.

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How can elderly improve mental health?

Read on for 10 practical ways to help you stay mentally well. Be prepared for changes. Getting older and retirement both involve a change in lifestyle for most people. Talk about problems and concerns. Ask for help. Think ahead and have a plan. Care for others. Keep in touch. Be active and sleep well. Eat and drink sensibly.

What mental illness gets worse with age?

Personality disorders that are susceptible to worsening with age include paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, obsessive compulsive, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, and dependent, said Dr. Rosowsky, a geropsychologist in Needham, Mass.

What is the most common delusion?

Persecutory delusion This is the most common form of delusional disorder. In this form, the affected person fears they are being stalked, spied upon, obstructed, poisoned, conspired against or harassed by other individuals or an organization.

How old is elderly?

65 years

What age is Late Life?

Late-life depression refers to a major depressive episode occurring for the first time in an older person (usually over 50 or 60 years of age ).

Can depression in the elderly mimic dementia?

Depression , nutritional deficiencies, side-effects from medications and emotional distress can all produce symptoms that can be mistaken as early signs of dementia , such as communication and memory difficulties and behavioural changes.

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