Age depression in hidden: Danger for our older fellow citizens!

Age depression in hidden: Danger for our older fellow citizens!

Leipzig, Deutschland - In Germany, age depression plays an important role among mental illnesses in older age. It is estimated that around 6 percent of the 70- to 79-year-olds are affected annually. However, this form of depression is often not openly addressed and often remains undetected. radio Herford reports that the symptoms of age depression often go hand in hand with physical complaints such as back pain and sleeping disorders Symptoms can be similar to dementia. This risk of confusion, also known as pseudo -modem, can lead to the fact that a real depression is not recognized in time.

The German Depression Foundation emphasizes that depression is not only common in old age, but can also have dangerous consequences. SuicD risk in particular increases with age, especially in men. Notes on suicidality should be taken seriously and addressed. The course of these diseases can be decisively influenced by timely interventions such as psychotherapy or drug treatment.

diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis of age depression is typically through conversations between the patient and the doctor and through special tests such as the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Unfortunately, medical specialists often do not actively ask about mental symptoms such as hopelessness or suicidal thoughts, which means that many diseases are not recognized. German depression aid explains that subclinical depression in older people occurs two to three times more often, which occurs the challenges in diagnosis further increased.

Treatment of age depression is of central importance, not only to improve the quality of life of those affected, but also to reduce the risk of suicide. Psychotherapy and drug therapy are effective treatment methods that can help. Studies show that the use of psychotherapy is also effective in older adults, such as analyzes of pinquart et al. (2007) occupy.

The importance of these topics also becomes clear in the Berlin age study and studies on the very old, which indicate the need for enlightened, age -appropriate treatment approaches. Early detection and treatment of age depression can make a decisive contribution to improving living standards and significantly reducing the risk of suicide.