“Is Pop losing it?”

Dear Dr. Brain,
My father is starting to act a bit strange lately. He is forgetting things, seems ‘distant’ and often just sits staring into space. I read somewhere that depression is common in older people and that it sometimes includes some strange behavior. What are the signs of depression in older adults?

Dr. Brain answers:
Everyone knows when they themselves feel depressed or when someone else appears to be obviously depressed. With older adults, depression is often suspected and rightfully so. The signs of geriatric depression are sometimes similar to what would be expected in younger people. They include mood changes, a lack of interest in activities, changes in eating habits, sleep problems, loss of energy, feelings of guilt and difficulty concentrating or thinking.

In older people, however, depression can often be confused with other conditions.

First, normal aspects of aging creates a natural slowing in a number of activities. Changes in appetite, sleep patterns, memory and other behaviors are more “normal” in older people than in others. These changes should not be seen as automatic indicators of depression.

Second, physical changes in older people can result in symptoms similar to depression. Some of these physical changes may result from side effects of medications which are taken for specific medical conditions. Physiological or general medical problems, like hearing and visual difficulties, common in older people, and can often lead to depression-like symptoms as well.

Third, many symptoms of dementia are similar to symptoms of depression. This is especially true of changes in cognitive or thinking ability. Dementia is the term used to describe progressive changes in mental functioning often seen in older people. Dementia can result from a stroke, complications from medications or from an organic disease process, such as Alzheimer’s disease. People suffering from dementia also show signs of withdrawal and behavioral changes which are similar to depression.

If you think your father may be suffering from depression, you can try one of MyBrainX’s depression inventories to see where he rates. While depression inventories can serve as a general guide, keep in mind that depression, as any other health problem, can be accurately diagnosed only by a health professional.

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Dear Dr. Brain,

I recently was visited by my mother (age 56) who I haven’t seen for a while since I went overseas on a 2 year mission. My mom has always been an active person and someone who always was the first to get things done. I’ve been back home a few weeks now and I’m noticing that she seems different from the way she was before I left. She seems to forget things a lot more, can’t remember where she put things and constantly needs reminders about conversations we had just a few hours before. I’m not sure what this means for my mother. Is she showing signs of Alzheimer’s?

Dr. Brain answers:
I understand your anxiety over Alzheimer’s disease, this concern seems to be premature. At age 56, it is possible to show signs of Alzheimer’s, although it is somewhat early. Alzheimer’s at that age would be considered “presenile demenia”, a disease process that begins earlier than usual. It may be that some other organic problem (not necessarily Alzheimer’s) does exist. In this case, you would most probably note cognitive changes, such as problems with memory and orientation.

One of the more common factors related to type of memory issues you describe with your mother is emotional, such as depression. At her age, depression is not unusual and often takes forms that not always easily detectable. Memory issues is one such symptoms. If your mom is functioning normally, that is, she is able to care for her needs, do all daily tasks without problem and continue to interact normally with people around her, it may be that depression is at work here—and the memory issues you see are the ‘tip of the iceberg’ that you see.

The best step would be to have your Mom evaluated by a professional clinician—and to follow her over the next few years to make sure that whatever cognitive problems are present do not get worse and possibly develop into a form of dementia.

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Click here for “ Is it Alzheimer’s or Depression?