Depression

Question 1

How prevalent is depression in elderly population?

Answer 1

affects 10-15% of the elderly population

• greater likelihood of chronic, severe, treatment-resistant disease
• higher risk of suicide
• 40-45% of stroke survivors
• 25-30% of residential home patients

Question 2

What are organic differentials for depression?

Answer 2

Pseudo dementia 
10% delirium 
paranoid features 
agitation 
white matter hyper intensity and vascular dementia 
"masked depression"

Question 3

What are the key depression symptoms in elderly?

Answer 3

insomnia
weight loss
feelings of guilt
hypochondriasis

Question 4

Why is a diagnosis of depression in dementia difficult to diagnosis?

Answer 4

symptoms may overlap

Question 5

What are the symptoms of depression in dementia?

Answer 5

apathy 
loss of interest in activities or hobbies 
social withdrawal 
isolation 
difficulty concentrating 
impaired thinking

Question 6

What are the suicide RFs?

Answer 6

Older age
Male
Living alone
Bereavement
Physical illness - especially pain or recent hospitalisation
Psychiatric illness - depression, alcohol misuse, vulnerable personality
previous suicide attempt