Health Tip: Depression Among Seniors

Here's a list of possible risk factors

(HealthDay News) -- Depression affects more than 6 million people aged 65 or older in the United States, but only about 10 percent of them are treated, the Cleveland Clinic says.

Advertisement

Related Stories • Freedom More Important to Happiness Than Wealth, Study Finds • Weight-Loss Surgery Can Be Effective Despite Depression • Sleep-Deprived Teens May Crave Carbohydrates Related Videos PTSD: The War Within Women Magnets Relieve Depression Sex - The New Crack? Related Slides Depression Related Encyclopedia • Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) • Dysthymia • Seasonal Affective Disorder

The clinic offers this list of risk factors for depression in seniors:

• Living alone without much social interaction.
• Having persistent pain or illness.
• Being overly afraid of dying.
• Having a family history or personal history of depression or suicide attempts.
• Having had a recent bereavement, such as the death of a close family member.
• Having problems with drugs or alcohol.
• Taking certain medications, alone or combined with other medications.
• Problems with body image after a surgery or major illness, such as cancer or heart disease.

-- Diana Kohnle