Late Life Depression

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Health

Concept :

Late-life depression (LLD)/ Geriatric depression is caused by multiple factors working together.
It has three broad risk factors:
- biological,
- psychological, and
- social
Biological risk factors
Studies have found some evidence for genetic contribution to LLD.
Stress that accumulates over one’s life leads to a sustained secretion of cortisol, the hormone that regulates the body’s stress response.
Increased cortisol levels lead to the loss of brain cells in the hippocampus, which is implicated in memory and learning.
This brain cell loss can be partially mitigated by the use of antidepressants.
Vascular depression is associated with brain lesions, which appear as bright spots on brain scans that disrupt brain signalling and brain circuits.
Heart attacks and heart conditions often lead to LLD, as do diabetes and hip fracture
Psychological risk factors
Neuroticis (the personality disposition to experience negative emotions, anger, irritability, and emotional instability) is consistently implicated in LLD.
Depressed individuals may overreact to life events or misinterpret them.
Social risk factors
Lower socioeconomic status has been associated with depression across the life cycle.
Perceived social support is the most robust predictor of LLD symptoms.

How is late-life depression treated?

Generally a four-pronged approach is used to treat geriatric depression, involving:
- psychotherapy,
- medications,
- brain stimulation,
- family therapy.
Talking therapies, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), help to identify maladaptive thought patterns, and then restructure these patterns to help the depressed individual cope and feel better.