Depression in Seniors: What You Need to Know

Depression often goes overlooked, under-diagnosed and untreated in adults 65 years old and older. Symptoms tend to get dismissed as a standard part of aging. But they’re anything but. Depression is a serious illness that disrupts lives and increases the risk for suicide. Thankfully, however, it is treatable. Very treatable. In her excellent, eye-opening book Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide psychologist Deborah Serani, Psy.D, sheds light on this prevalent disorder. She shares a slew of vital facts, research and case studies about what depression looks like in seniors and what helps to treat it. Below are five important insights from Serani’s book that everyone should know. Depression is all-too common in seniors. Depression affects about 7 percent of seniors worldwide. It affects about 15 percent of seniors in America. Yet 90 percent don’t get diagnosed or properly treated. Part of the problem is that depression gets mistaken for other age-related issues, such as memory loss, muscle or joint weakness and medication side effects, Serani writes.  Depression may manifest differently in seniors. Like younger individuals, seniors may experience sleep problems and loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed. However, according to Serani, “Studies suggest seniors experience more structural changes in the brain and vascular issues, and aren’t aware that they’re feeling depressed.” Seniors with depression tend to feel more irritated than depress...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Books Depression Disorders Family Friends General Health-related Mental Health and Wellness Self-Help Stress anxiety Chronic Illness Deborah Serani Elderly Helplessness Hopelessness late-life suicide later life depression Source Type: blogs