MONDAY, Dec. 25, 2006 (HealthDay News) -- When families get together for the holidays, they need to watch for signs of depression in older relatives, says University of Michigan Health System expert Dr. Helen C. Kales.
Signs of possible depression in older people include: increased anxiety and irritability; being less joyful or quieter than normal; a loss of interest in things they used to enjoy; and talking a lot about people who have died.
Late-life depression affects as many as one in seven older people and is most common among those who are dealing with or have had serious physical health problems and those with a history of mental health disorders.
"One of the big things that happens at the holidays is that families who are coming in from out of town spot these symptoms and changes for the first time. For instance, their parent or relative isn't taking as good care of themselves or their home as they used to," Kales said in a prepared statement.
"It's a myth that depression is a normal part of aging, and that you just get old and tired and sad naturally. Normal aging is not associated with depression, and late-life depression is just as treatable as any other form," said Kales, assistant professor of psychiatry at the U-M Medical School and director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
She noted that many older adults may not recognize that increased tiredness, mood swings, and loss of appetite, and other changes are signs of depression. Or they may just ignore such signs.
"They were taught to pick themselves up by their bootstraps and not to cry when things went wrong. So, it may be really hard for them to talk about having emotional problems or experiencing depression. They may feel like they need to be stoic and power through it," Kales explained.
If younger family members do notice signs of depression in an older relative, they need to speak to them about it. It may also be a good idea to mention it to the person's doctor.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about older adults and depression.
