“What are the symptoms of geriatric depression?”
My grandmother's 65 years old, and I feel like she is depressed. She cries at strange times throughout the day, and sometimes she doesn't have an appetite. Are these symptoms of geriatric depression?
1 Answer
They certainly can be. A basic medical work up to explore medical causes of mood changes such as thyroid disease would be prudent. Symptoms of later life depression are largely similar to earlier ages: sleep and appetite disturbances, low energy, inability to experience joy, slowed thinking and movements, and not uncommonly, cognitive problems such as poor focus or forgetfulness.
