Depression in Elderly Often Complicated by Patient’s Reluctance to Talk About it

This article details the high suicide rate among the elderly, & advises physicians to be alert to signs. Conditions that make depression more likely are divorce or widowhood, living alone, recent loss, forced retirement, financial stresses, physical illnesses, genetic predispositions, & certain medications. Elderly people often are reluctant to talk about depression, so physicians must look for other signs. Treatments are discussed briefly. (VM)