See these related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Older people who suffer from these illnesses frequently are undiagnosed, while others remain untreated, under-treated, or mistreated. Dr. Barry Lebowitz, National Institute of Mental Health, concurs. Many people think that depression is a normal part of growing old. It's not normal to be old and sad.
Depression is an illnesses and needs to be properly diagnosed and treated.
Medical illness is the single greatest risk factor in late-life depression, says Steven Roose, M.D., professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. With the rapid growth in the number of adults age 65 and older, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, the link between depression and morbidity deserves exploration. Depression in seniors can worsen the symptoms of other medical illnesses, and effective treatment of depression can markedly improve the patient's quality of life. The AAGP advocates the use of both psychotherapy and drug treatment, as appropriate, to effectively treat mental illness in later life. Newer drugs should facilitate the treatment of mental disorders in patients who are taking medication for other illnesses.