Why Geriatric Depression is Often Misdiagnosed

Caregivers and physicians often mistake elderly depression for either dementia or sadness following a loss. Kenneth Robbins, MD, says to look at the physiological signs: if it's a lack of energy, an upset stomach or headaches, the deeper problem might not be physical. Don't just assume that these are medical issues that come with aging. It might be geriatric depression. A loss of independent functions can also offset depression. Elderly white males are at the highest risk of suicide, and the suicide rate generally goes up with age. But depression is not a normal part of aging. In this video, Dr. Robbins talks about how to identify depression in elders.