Older Adults & Depression

Depression is the most common psychological disorder in the United States, and older adults aren't immune. Some form of depression is experienced by more than 2 million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older. Depression is not a normal part of the aging process; it is a dangerous illness at any age and should be taken seriously. Older adults suffering from depression often experience listlessness, dissatisfaction with life in general and a reluctance to socialize. Depression is particularly perilous for the elderly, because it can hamper the immune system and exacerbate pre-existing conditions.

Diagnosis

• According to the Mayo Clinic, depression in older adults may go undiagnosed because symptoms mimic those of other illnesses. Many older adults with depression are reluctant to seek help. Sometimes this is because they don't have a history of depression or the symptoms come on gradually and aren't due to any particular event or trauma.

Causes

• Causes of depression in the elderly are often related to physical and mental decline, widowhood and the increased isolation that often accompanies old age. According to an article in the International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, depression in older adults is closely associated with the processing of the accumulated memories of a long life.

Suicide

• Suicide occurs more frequently in the elderly than in any other group. According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, while people 65 and older comprise only 12 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 16 percent of the suicide deaths (in 2004). Studies show that up to 75 percent of the older adults who die by suicide visited a doctor within a month before death. Better detection and treatment of depression in older adults is needed.

Seizures

• According to a study in the Annals of Neurology, major depression carries with it a six-fold increased risk for seizure in older adults. The seizures discussed in the study were unprovoked and were not associated with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.

Treatments

• In many cases, according to a late-life depression guide prepared by physicians with the support of Forest Pharmaceuticals, depression in older adults can be successfully treated with anti-depressant medication. However, since most clinical studies of depression have involved younger adults, there is limited evidence for the treatment of depression in the elderly. Medication interactions are also a concern with elderly patients who are often prescribed many medications for a variety of conditions.