The majority of older adults who suffer from depression experience lower-level symptoms that do not meet diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. The DSM recognizes several well-defined disorders that are considered minor depressive states. Dysthymia is defined as presence of one of the two defining symptoms plus at least two other symptoms of depression continuously for a period of at least 2 years. This chronic, low-level depression typically manifests relatively early in life and is in fact less prevalent in older than in younger persons. (more…)

The interpretation of physical health complaints due to anxiety or hypochondria is often a form of physical symptoms dismiss persons who are not familiar with a medical facility, which in May this allows for the accounting and ‘medical insurance, scouring, which does not benefit of patients. These authors also discuss diseases are often associated with depression, such as heart failure, Parkinson’s disease and hypothyroidism, and medications, the cause of depression to side effects such as antihypertensive drugs and barbiturates. Emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the true symptoms of depression caused by illness or medication. (more…)