Depression: It's Real, It's Dangerous and It's Treatable. Healthy Advantage Seminar

Depression in seniors is a widespread problem, but is often not recognized or treated. With seniors, a number of life changes can increase the risk for depression, or make existing depression worse. Many of us feel sad, blue or down in the dumps at one time or another for short periods. However, clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger or frustration interfere with everyday life for a longer period of time. Major depression is typically more severe and can cause patients to be a danger to themselves or others.

Depression in the elderly may be hard to detect. Common symptoms such as fatigue, appetite loss, and trouble sleeping can be part of the aging process or a physical illness. As a result, early depression may be ignored, or confused with other conditions that are common in the elderly.

Clues to depression in the elderly may include:

• Being more confused or forgetful.
• Eating less. The refrigerator may be empty or contain spoiled food.
• Not bathing or shaving as often. Visitors may notice smells of urine or stool. Clothes may be dirty and wrinkled.
• Not taking care of the home.
• Stopping medicines or not taking them correctly.
• Withdrawing from others. Not talking as much, and not answering the phone or returning phone calls.

The speaker is Tessy Korah, M.D., a UF Health psychiatrist is board certified in both Adult Psychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry. Please attend this free seminar for you or someone you care about

Learn more about depression in seniors by clicking here.

There will be complementary food for this seminar.