Assessing depression in elderly patients.
Late onset depression often appears similar to depression in younger persons. However, it may present a diagnostic challenge to the clinician because of its atypical expression in the aged. For example, it may be characterized by cognitive impairment, neurotic symptoms, prominent anxiety, somatization, and high bodily concern. Since depressive disorders are not always obvious to the observer, they are perhaps the most poorly recognized and therefore untreated psychiatric disturbances in the aged.
Godderis
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium.
D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology