Symptoms of depression in older adults

[troyhather]

The essential feature of a major depressive episode is a period of at least two weeks when the person experiences either depressed mood (most of the day, nearly every day) or loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. According to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, the most common symptoms of depression in the elderly include:

Persistent sadness
Feeling slowed down
Excessive worries about finances and health problems
Frequent tearfulness
Feeling worthless or helpless
Weight changes
Pacing or fidgeting
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Somatic complaints (unexplained physical pain or gastrointestinal problems)
Withdrawal from social activities