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Depression among the elderly

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Depression - elderly

Symptoms: depressed or irritable mood feelings of worthlessness or sadness loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities temper, agitation change in appetite, usually a loss of appetite change in weight unintentional weight loss (most frequent) weight gain difficulty sleeping daytime sleepiness difficulty falling asleep (initial insomnia) multiple awakenings through the night (middle insomnia) early morning awakening (terminal insomnia) fatigue (tiredness or weariness) difficulty concentrating memory loss abnormal thoughts, excessive or inappropriate guilt excessively irresponsible behavior pattern abnormal thoughts about death thoughts about suicide plans to commit suicide or actual suicide attempts If these symptoms are present every day for more than 2 weeks, then depression is likely present. Signs and tests: a physical examination will help determine if there is a medical illness causing the depression psychological evaluation blood tests: CBC or blood differential, thyroid function tests, liver or kidney function tests a variety of other tests may be needed

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