Depression in the Elderly

Abstract

DEPRESSION is a psychiatric syndrome frequently encountered by physicians who treat older adults. Depression is not one disease, but rather the presentation of multiple medical and psychiatric disorders, ranging from bereavement to hypothyroidism. Most older persons are satisfied with their lives and experience only transient fluctuations in mood. Persistent depressive symptoms in the elderly must therefore not be ignored or devalued but require a thorough diagnostic workup.In surveys of adults in the community, major depression is less prevalent among those 65 and older than in younger groups.¹ There may be an increased prevalence of depression among those 85 years . . .