Study Analyzes Common Misconceptions About Depression Among Older Adults

A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry analyzed five common misconceptions about depression in older adults that were first evaluated two decades ago, suggesting it is not more common than in younger people and is not more often created by psychological factors, reports Medical Xpress . The team determined major depressive disorder continues to be less common later in life, but has a higher relapse rate than in younger adults. In addition, older adults with subthreshold depression symptoms exhibit similar impaired physical, social, and role functioning to those with a major depressive disorder diagnosis. In general, older adults respond to psychological interventions as well as younger adults, although evidence implies antidepressants are less effective in late life. The researchers say although older adults may benefit from enhanced ability to regulate emotions, research suggests several age-related biological processes contribute to major depression. Late-life depression also may be symptomatically dissimilar from earlier stages, but the researchers believe further research is required to clarify the influences of aging and other medical conditions.