More than 1 out of 20 Americans 12 years of age and older reported current depression in 2005–2006.
The aging process is of course a biological reality which has its own dynamic, largely beyond human control. However, it is also subject to the constructions by which each society makes sense of old age. In the developed world, chronological time plays a paramount role. The age of 60 or 65, roughly equivalent to retirement ages in most developed countries, is said to be the beginning of old age. In many parts of the developing world, chronological time has little or no importance in the meaning of old age. Other socially constructed meanings of age are more significant such as the roles assigned to older people; in some cases it is the loss of roles accompanying physical decline which is significant in defining old age. Signs and symptoms of depression in older adults Recognizing depression in the elderly starts with knowing the signs and symptoms.
Depression Red Flags Include:
Sadness
Fatigue
Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pass times
Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness)
Social withdrawal and isolation
(reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home)
Weight loss or loss of appetite
Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, self loathing)
