|
|
Article: Depression in older adults: pervasive or preventable?
- Article from:
- Adultspan Journal
- Article date:
- September 22, 2001
- Author:
-
|
Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2001 American Counseling Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Depression occurs in as much as 15% of older adults, but it is often undiagnosed and untreated. This article explores topics related to depression in older adults including etiology, diagnosis, screening and treatment options, treatment outcomes, interventions, implications for counselors, and areas for further research.
Depression, often called "the common cold of mental illness" (Castleman, n.d.), affects 18.8 million Americans, or 9.5% of the population in any given year ("Depression," n.d.). Among older adults, depression is an even larger concern. A recent report from the National Institute of Mental Health called depression in the older adult population ...