Depression - elderly

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Depression among the elderly

• depressed or irritable mood
• feelings of worthlessness or sadness
• loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
• temper, agitation
• change in appetite , usually a loss of appetite
• change in weight
  • unintentional weight loss (most frequent)
  • weight gain
• difficulty sleeping
  • daytime sleepiness
  • difficulty falling asleep (initial insomnia)
  • multiple awakenings through the night (middle insomnia)
  • early morning awakening (terminal insomnia)
• fatigue (tiredness or weariness)
• difficulty concentrating
• memory loss
• abnormal thoughts, excessive or inappropriate guilt
• excessively irresponsible behavior pattern
• abnormal thoughts about death
• thoughts about suicide
• plans to commit suicide or actual suicide attempts

If these symptoms are present every day for more than 2 weeks, then depression is likely present.

• a physical examination will help determine if there is a medical illness causing the depression
• psychological evaluation
• blood tests: CBC or blood differential, thyroid function tests, liver or kidney function tests
• a variety of other tests may be needed

Review Date: 10/17/2005
Reviewed By: Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.