The mind‐body connection in elderly

Abstract

Depression is an illness affecting mind and body. Depression in people aged 65 years and older is a major public health problem. Because many older people are unaware that they need treatment for depression, as depression in the elderly is insidious. The consequences of undiagnosed depression can be fatal, as depression is a leading cause of suicide among elders. Late‐life depression is particularly tricky in that the relationship between depression, disability and illness is very difficult to disentangle. Specific symptoms and signs of depression may impair some functions and not others. Medical disorders accompanying geriatric depression can cause disability, independent of the depressive syndrome or in synergy with it. There is growing evidence that treating depression in patients with a chronic physical condition may improve their medical condition, reduce the degree of pain, increase activity and lessen disability, enhance their quality of life and increase their ability to follow their treatment plan. Health care providers, elderly and their family should be aware of geriatric depression.