|
The signs and symptoms of depression may vary greatly among patients. Symptoms in older adults may differ from those in younger patients and tend to last longer and be more persistent. Generally, there are nine primary symptoms of depression, which include:
-
Altered mood. Among the most common changes of mood in older adults with depression are feelings of nervousness, emptiness, restlessness, irritability or being unloved. The patient may also experience profound sadness, anxiety, anger or apathy (lack of emotion). They may be pessimistic or discouraged and may experience crying spells or excessive emotional sensitivity.
-
Anhedonia. Reduction or loss of interest in activities the patient formerly found pleasurable, such as eating, sex, work, friends, hobbies and entertainment.
-
Significant change in appetite or weight. The patient may experience reduced or increased appetite or significant weight loss or gain. In older adults, reduced appetite and weight loss are more common than increased appetite and weight gain.
-
Changes in sleep patterns. The patient may sleep too much (hypersomnia) or not enough (insomnia). In older adults, insomnia is much more common than hypersomnia.
-
Self-worth. The patient may have feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
-
Fatigue and loss of energy.
-
Concentration. The patient may exhibit a diminished ability to think or concentrate. Memory problems and confusion are common in older adults with depression.
-
Death thoughts. The patient may have recurrent thoughts of death and death wishes. They may think about committing suicide (suicidal ideation) or engage in suicidal actions. The patient may even attempt or complete suicide. This is a serious concern for older adults with depression.
-
Physical or verbal activity. Patients may be agitated and anxious. They may wring their hands, pace or not be able to sit still. Conversely, patients may have sluggish movements or speech. There may be a pause before answering questions or starting actions. They may speak quietly or not be able to be heard. They may not speak except in response to a direct question or may become completely mute (not talking at all). Older people who have depression may not initially seek treatment for their mood, but may instead see their primary physician to treat what they believe is a physical disorder. Fatigue, headache and stomach pains that do not respond to medication are often reported. Older adults may be more likely than younger patients to display these vague physical symptoms. In some cases, hallucinations or delusions may also occur. These may be mistaken for signs of dementia. | 
/doctor_89.jpg "ulcerative colitis tips")