Depression is a common mental disorder, suffered by more than 350 million individuals of all ages globally. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease 101. The etiology of depression is believed to be multifactorial, including psychological, social and biological factors. Although depression is understood to be a time-limited disorder, lasting on average 4-6 months, it is now clear that incomplete recovery and relapse are common, with young people under 20 years of age and older people at a significantly higher risk of relapse l. Depression is believed to be a greater detriment to health than major chronic physical illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes 1. In the UK, the prevalence of depression in the elderly was found to be 9, increasing to 10 if concurrent dementia was included. Depression was found to be more common in women than in men and was associated with functional disability, medical comorbidity and social deprivation 2. With a growing aging population in the western world, specific public health strategies will be required to address the particular needs of this group. We attempt here to present the complexities involved in the identification and management of depression in older adults.
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