Geriatric Depression Geriatric Depression Symptoms , Causes , and Treatments Christopher M. Forrest Geriatric Depression is the most common mental health problem among older adults. It is believed that between 1 and 20 percent of older adults meet DSM-IV's criteria for clinical depression. The prevalence of depression is higher in older females than in older men. However, it is suspected that older men may simply underreport the symptoms of depression they experience.
Many people regard late life and depression as being synonymous.
Yet, they are not. But behind that myth lies the important issue of the relationship between one's vulnerability to depression and old age. There are several different aspects of old age that make older adults more vulnerable and susceptible to depression. The decreases and occasional increases in these chemicals may predisposition the elderly to depression. The same is true concerning changes in hormone levels.