What Are The Most Common Signs And Symptoms Of Depression In Seniors?

Dr. Barry Rovner answers the question: 'Common Signs Of Depression In Seniors?'

By
Barry Rovner, M.D., Director and Professor, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University
February 27, 2008, 5:34 PM ET
1 min read

— -- Question: What are the most common signs and symptoms of depression in seniors?

Answer: The most common signs and symptoms of depression in late life are primarily physical symptoms. Symptoms like fatigue and pain, loss of energy, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite. And because they're primarily physical symptoms, they present to their primary care physicians and not psychiatrists.

So in particular they do not say that they feel sad or depressed or anxious as much as they experience physical symptoms.

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