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- What is the difference between depression in older people and in the rest of the population?
- Are all cases of depression in older people the same?
- Does depression affect older women or men more?
- How to help an elderly person with depression?
- How should a family act in a case of depression in an elderly person?
- Why is depression not diagnosed more often in older people?
- Can depression in older people be cured?
- What are the signs we should be alert to in order to detect depression in an older person?
- Where should we go if we detect that an elderly person is experiencing depressive symptoms?
- What are the differences between the clinical presentation of depression and the possible symptoms of dementia in an elderly person?
- In cases of depression in older people, do psychotropic drugs always have to be used?
- How can we help elderly people who are afraid of dying to avoid falling into depression?
- What alternatives are there for treatment-resistant major depression?
- What is depressive pseudodementia?
- What does psychological intervention for the treatment of depression in older adults involve? How can the family help in this intervention?
- My mother has been suffering from depression and anxiety attacks for several years now. She's in therapy and takes antidepressants, but she's not improving much. How can we help her?
- My mother is 85 years old and lives with me. How can I help her cope with the idea that one day she will die and leave me alone?
- My 81-year-old mother lives alone. She's always been very introverted, and spending the lockdown alone has only made her more withdrawn. Her conversations always revolve around problems; she's sad and constantly says, "Oh well, I don't have much time left anyway." She doesn't want to move in with any of her children, and we don't know how to help her.
- My father-in-law is very depressed and has stopped eating. He says his mind isn't working properly and he's very sad and worried about it. Could it be depression due to the COVID-19 situation?
- Why do some general practitioners say that depression is just a mood?
- My mother is 88 years old. She hardly ever leaves the house; the pandemic has made her even more sedentary. She tells me she's tired and has no desire to walk, read, or even get up from her armchair. Her family doctor only treats her by phone, and she hasn't been to the office in two years.
- How can we know what symptoms indicate that we will have depression when we are older?
What are the signs we should be alert to in order to detect depression in an older person?
Mercedes Álvarez Herranz
Psychogeriatric psychiatrist
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu
Any change in an older person's functioning or personality can be indicative of possible depression. For example, giving up activities they previously enjoyed, changes in how they organize their day, or a tendency to become easily angered in someone who didn't previously experience these behaviors can be caused by depression. However, not every change is due to depression. When these signs are detected, it's important to discuss them with the person and offer professional help if there is any doubt.
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Mercedes Álvarez Herranz
Psychogeriatric psychiatrist
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu
Dr. Juan Manuel Mendive Arbeloa
General Practitioner. Centro de Atención Primaria La Mina
Institut Català de la Salut (ICS)