Late-Life Depression Quiz
Older adults often suffer from depression needlessly because they fail to recognize its signs or are reluctant to talk with their health care provider about it. In addition, friends and family may think that the symptoms of depression they see in an older person are just a passing mood. Depression, however, is a medical illness. Learn more about depression in the elderly by taking this quiz.
1. Depression is a natural part of growing older.
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Depression is not a normal part of growing old—but it is a common problem among older people, affecting 15 in every 100 adults older than 65, according to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).
2. When depression is properly diagnosed and treated, 50 percent of those suffering from it recover.
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Eighty percent of people recover, the AAGP says.
3. Common symptoms of depression include feeling worthless or helpless, feeling sad for two weeks or more, and having difficulty sleeping and concentrating.
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Other symptoms include withdrawing from regular activities and neglecting personal appearance.
4. Chronic or serious illness or death of a spouse or another family member can trigger depression.
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Depression can also be triggered by retirement, when an older person has difficulty adjusting to the lifestyle change.
5. Depression always has an obvious cause.
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It can happen to anyone for no apparent reason, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
6. Illnesses such as Parkinson's, cancer, heart disease, and stroke can trigger depression.
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Certain illnesses such as stroke or arthritis can mask depression symptoms. Although studies have shown a link between certain chronic conditions such as depression and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, the National Institutes of Health says that researchers still aren’t sure whether these conditions actually cause it.
7. Treatments for depression include counseling and antidepressant medication.
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Mild or moderate depression often can be treated with therapy alone, the NIMH says.
8. People older than age 65 account for 10 percent of suicides in the United States.
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The figure is about 18 percent, according to the NIMH. Suicide is more common in older people than in any other age group, and depression often triggers it.
9. Most insurance companies don't cover depression treatment.
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Most health insurance companies cover counseling and antidepressant medications, according to the nonprofit group Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
10. When left untreated, depression can worsen the symptoms of other illnesses and lead to premature death.
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And if left untreated, serious depression can lead to suicide, according to the AAGP. That's why it's important to listen carefully if someone complains about being depressed or says people don't care. That person may be telling you he or she needs help.
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