Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025
06:58
Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
7.4K
Recognizing Depression in the Elderly: Practical Guidance and Challenges for Clinical Management
Maria Devita1,2, Rossella De Salvo1, Adele Ravelli2
1Department of General Psychology (DPG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
|December 14, 2022
Summary
Late-life depression is common yet often missed. This review guides clinicians in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating depression in older adults, improving their quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Depression is a prevalent mood disorder in older adults, significantly impacting quality of life and increasing mortality.
- Despite its prevalence, depression in the elderly frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated.
- Cognitive decline and overlapping symptoms contribute to the underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of depression in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of depression in the elderly, including definitions, clinical features, and risk/protective factors.
- To discuss the challenges in diagnosing depression in older adults, particularly the overlap with cognitive decline.
- To offer a practical, multidisciplinary approach for managing late-life depression.
Main Methods:
- This study is a narrative review.
- It synthesizes existing literature on geriatric depression.
- It integrates clinical experience with evidence-based findings.
Main Results:
- Key definitions, manifestations, and influencing factors of depression in older adults are presented.
- Reasons for under/misdiagnosis, such as symptom overlap with cognitive impairment, are analyzed.
- A practical guide for multidisciplinary care is proposed.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing and treating depression in older adults is crucial for improving health outcomes.
- A multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective management.
- This review serves as a clinical guide for healthcare professionals.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Depression: Overview
317
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
317
01:27Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
193
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
193
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
152
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
152
01:05Long-term Depression
31.2K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
31.2K
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
240
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
240
01:30Dementia
153
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
153