“Are senior citizens more likely to develop depression?”
My 78 year old father seems to be depressed. He doesn't want to leave the house. Are senior citizens more likely to develop depression?
2 Answers
Yes.. Seniors are more likely to develop depression.
The incidence of depression in senior population is more or less the same as in adult population. However, Seniors are more vulnerable due to decline of immunity and physical health particularly if they don’t have good support system. Nonetheless, lacking the interest in activities like you describe indicates that your father does need to be evaluated for depression.
Laeeq Tahir, MBBS., MD., FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, NS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Memorial University of NFLD
Research Associate, Health Sciences Faculty, Universite de Moncton
Director Division of Continuing Education, Student Affairs, Resident Training
Consultant Psychiatrist, Dept of Psychiatry, The Moncton Hospital,
860 Mountain Road, Suite 406,Moncton, NB, E1A 7C7 Canada
Tel: 506-857-5893 Fax: 506-857-5894
Laeeq Tahir, MBBS., MD., FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, NS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Memorial University of NFLD
Research Associate, Health Sciences Faculty, Universite de Moncton
Director Division of Continuing Education, Student Affairs, Resident Training
Consultant Psychiatrist, Dept of Psychiatry, The Moncton Hospital,
860 Mountain Road, Suite 406,Moncton, NB, E1A 7C7 Canada
Tel: 506-857-5893 Fax: 506-857-5894
