Are you observing personality and mood changes in an older adult? Loss of zest for life? Lack of interest in favorite activities? Difficulty concentrating? It could be depression – the most common psychiatric illness. But depression is often confused with Alzheimer's disease – a progressive and irreversible loss of mental capacity.
Mental health professionals at the nationally known Menninger Clinic alert families to become more informed of the similarities of depression and the early onset of Alzheimer's and dementia (loss of memory and other brain functions).
Other shared symptoms include forgetfulness or lapses in memory, withdrawal from daily activities, indecisiveness, reduced sense of self-esteem, change in sleep patterns, agitation or decrease in energy, and change in weight.
Nearly 10 Million People Are Affected
All of these are symptoms of depression that may or may not be seen with early Alzheimer's, says Alice Rogan, MD, psychiatrist at Menninger. Alzheimer's affects at least 4.5 million Americans age 65 or older. Serious symptoms of depression affect nearly 5 million in the same age group. Neither disease is a normal part of aging.
Early diagnosis and treatment of either illness is important to making daily life more enjoyable. No person with Alzheimer's should have to suffer with depression as well. Feeling depressed, anxious, and helpless in addition to being aware of the loss of memory and orientation often makes living with the illnesses worse – both for the person who is suffering with it and for the immediate family members. Medications and talk therapy can help for both illnesses.
What to Do
"What families need to know is that these illnesses can and should be differentiated. Seek out health and mental health professionals who are familiar with depression and Alzheimer's. Choose someone who's willing to take a careful history with family input to make a thoughtful diagnosis and treatment plan. For depression in the elderly, there are psychiatrists who specialize in geriatric psychiatry," Dr. Rogan says. |
