Ahmed Sherif Abdel Meguid, MD, FRCPC, (pronouns: he/him) is a board-certified consultation-liaison psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist at Inova Behavioral Health Services.
Note: Depression is not a normal part of aging. It is a treatable medical condition, and older adults are at increased risk of developing symptoms of depression (also called major depressive disorder, or MDD).
If one or more of the people you love are older than 65, here’s a quick guide to depression in older adults including what to watch out for, why it happens and how to help.
The presentation of depression symptoms varies by culture and gender. Many older adults, particularly men, won’t say they’re depressed, even if they meet the criteria for MDD diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms to watch for include:
Many older adults go undiagnosed and untreated for their depression. Not only does this cause unnecessary suffering, but if depressed older adults are not taking care of themselves, it can negatively affect their other medical conditions as well.
The good news is that most elderly people with depression improve with treatment. Here is how you can help depressed older adults in your life get help.
There is a lot older adults can do to prevent depression or reduce the risk of depression:
By keeping in mind the signs and symptoms of depression in older adults, as well as treatment and prevention tips, you can help the older adults in your life make the most of their golden years.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about Inova Behavioral Health Services or about Inova’s adult mental health inpatient services specifically.
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Todo lo escrito es cierto. Los sintomas tambien, reconoces que estas con depresion, pero el gran problema es como salir de ella. Que pautas seguir. Quieres y no quieres? Alejas y te alejas de los que te quieren. Sabes que necesitas de un carino un abrazo y lo alejas.
English translate via Google translate:
Everything written is true. The symptoms too, you recognize that you are depressed, but the big problem is how to get out of it. What guidelines to follow? Do you want and don't you want? You distance yourself and distance yourself from those who love you. You know you need a loving hug and you push them away.)