Depression in Elderly, Non-Health Issues Linked

Depression in older people with chronic diseases seems to be linked more to unrelated problems such as lack of friends, unemployment or unfaithful spouses than to the illness itself, according to a USC study recently released in Los Angeles. The study suggests that elderly people afflicted with chronic diseases seek more information about a problem--such as the loss of a loved one--and take positive steps to surmount it. Patients also should try to throw themselves into other activities to keep their mind off troubles, the study said.

“The findings help us understand why some older persons get depressed when faced with major health problems and others do not,” says Bryan Kemp, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the USC School of Medicine.

The study was based on physical and psychological assessments of 73 patients, whose average age was 72. They had an average of four chronic illnesses each, including heart disease, arthritis and diabetes. Twenty-three of the patients were found to have significant symptoms of depression.