What are the symptoms of elderly depression?

1. Psychological symptoms

1. The elderly often suffer from forgetfulness. Although patients may also have forgetfulness problems similar to those with Alzheimer's disease, the biggest difference between them is that patients with dementia really forget everything, while patients with depression just firmly believe that they have forgotten.

2. Depression refers to an unusual, persistent, severe depressive mood, coupled with a sharp drop in income (or a complete loss of income), gradual physical exhaustion, health problems, and the death of old friends.

3. Under the control of depression, the elderly often belittle themselves, blame themselves, and think they have not done anything well.

2. Physical manifestations

1. Elderly people who used to sleep well may suddenly find it difficult to fall asleep, or wake up too early even if they fall asleep, or feel that they have not fallen asleep after falling asleep. At this time, taking anti-neurasthenia drugs often has no effect.

2. Elderly people who used to have normal bowel movements will find it difficult to defecate, and in severe cases, the bowel movement may be blocked for a week. At the same time, they will also suffer from various digestive disorders, such as a significant decrease in appetite or even complete loss of appetite. Some people also experience symptoms such as abdominal distension and bad breath.

3. Emotional Expression

According to statistics, the proportion of people over 55 years old suffering from depression can be as high as 10%-15%. Some patients have very serious symptoms and even commit suicide. Therefore, the mortality rate of elderly patients with depression can be as high as 30%. Like young patients with depression, elderly patients with depression will experience unexplained depression and frustration for more than two weeks when they become ill. The most typical symptom is despair and loss of interest in life, work and previous hobbies.