Depression Symptoms In Older People
Depression is commonly not well recognized or detected while we get older. Symptoms such as sleep and appetite problems, sadness, or mood changes may be dismissed as a “normal” way of getting older.
Symptoms such as memory difficulties and poor concentration may also be confused with other conditions such as dementia.
Depression symptoms in older people
Which symptoms of depression may I suffer?
Some people feel irritable and some find it hard to concentrate. Depression makes life more difficult to control from day to day.
An older person may be depressed if, for more than two weeks, they have:
- felt sad, down, or miserable most of the time
- lost interest or pleasure in most of their usual activities
- experienced several of the signs and symptoms across at least three of the categories below.
Physical symptoms include:
- memory problems
- feeling tired all the time
- slowed movement
- loss or change of appetite
- feeling tired all the time
- significant weight loss or gain.
- sleeping more or less than usual
- agitation, hand wringing, pacing
- unexplained headaches, backache, or pain
- digestive upsets, nausea, changes in bowel habits
It’s necessary to note that everyone can develop some of these symptoms from time to time and it may not exactly mean that the person is depressed. Equally, not every person who is passing through depression will have all of these conditions.
Recognizing depression symptoms in older people
Depression can disturb memory and concentration, particularly while we get older. Sometimes people assume that problems with memory or concentration are due to age-related changes in thinking, rather than due to depression.
It is, therefore, necessary to think proactively about the possibility of depression and measure whether it may be present. Depression among older people can be easily missed. Older people may find it difficult to recognize or talk about depression or feeling sad and may not consult for help. Symptoms of depression that would cause concern in a younger person, such as social withdrawal or insomnia, maybe not attendant in older people as “just getting older”.
