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"Life is not worth living": hopelessness in Alzheimer's disease

Dylan G Harwood1, David L Sultzer

  • 1Mental Health Services, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, California 90073, USA.

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
|April 9, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Hopelessness affects 10% of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, linked to mood issues and awareness of cognitive decline. This finding highlights the importance of monitoring mental health in AD populations.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
  • Indifference is a common symptom in AD patients.
  • The prevalence and correlates of hopelessness in AD require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hopelessness in probable Alzheimer's disease patients.
  • To identify clinical factors associated with hopelessness in this cohort.
  • To understand the relationship between hopelessness, depression, and awareness of deficits in AD.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 91 patients diagnosed with probable AD was assessed.
  • Hopeless ideation was measured using Item 3 of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Suicide).
  • Clinical correlates, including mood disturbance, insight, and demographic factors, were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Hopelessness was present in 10% (n=9) of the probable AD sample.
  • Patients experiencing hopelessness showed greater psychological symptoms of mood disturbance.
  • Hopelessness correlated with increased insight into cognitive and functional impairments, not with age, education, or specific depression signs.

Conclusions:

  • Hopelessness is a significant phenomenon in approximately 10% of probable AD patients.
  • Hopelessness in AD is associated with subjective depression and anxiety symptoms and greater awareness of deficits.
  • These findings underscore the need to assess and manage hopelessness in Alzheimer's disease care.

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