Older persons may describe the usual signs and symptoms of depressive disorders, being: low mood, reduced energy, loss of interest, sleep and appetite disturbance, guilty ideas, psychomotor reduction or increase, impaired concentration and reduced clarity of thought.
The assessment of depressive disorder in the person can sometimes be difficult, especially in the person who has impaired expressive language function. It may be difficult to distinguish the natural progression of dementia but sudden downturns in behaviour, psychomotor function, sleep, appetite or depressed affect, unexplained by the development of new intercurrent physical discomfort or illness, should signal that depression be considered.
After reading this information, Aftercare encourages you to approach your doctor. Talk through with them any symptoms you or your family member may be experiencing and discuss possible treatments.