Definition of
Depression
It is a myth that depression is a normal part of the aging process. Often times it is mistaken for feelings of sadness, grieving for a loved one, or feeling "blue." As a matter of fact, the elderly experiencing a major depression may not feel sad at all. They may experience anxiety, apathy, distorted thinking, or have vague physical complaints unexplained by a physical illness.
Often times, major depression is overlooked or misdiagnosed for a dementia because of common symptoms of poor memory, difficulty concentrating and poor attention span making learning new material difficult. Depression is considered a mood disorder and effects ones thinking, behaving, feeling and functioning. It refers to a treatable physical and psychological pervasive condition which has lasted at least two weeks.
