These fact sheets are brought to you through a joint partnership with the National Council on Aging. Have you ever suffered from extended periods of sadness, loss of pleasure in everyday activities, poor sleep, or feelings of worthlessness or guilt? Have you quickly lost or gained weight, or lost all energy to complete everyday tasks? If so, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression. It is a medical problem that affects many older adults and can often be successfully treated. Compared to older adults without depression, those with depression often need greater assistance with self-care and daily living activities, and often recover more slowly from physical disorders.

Often older people with anxiety will experience a range of symptoms from the categories below:. It's important to note that everyone experiences some of these symptoms from time to time and it may not necessarily mean that the person is depressed. Equally, not every person who is experiencing depression will have all of these symptoms. Older people with depression tend to present with more symptoms from the physical category compared to the other categories.

Depression is more than just feeling sad or blue. It is a common but serious mood disorder that needs treatment. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, and working.

Depression is a true and treatable medical condition, not a normal part of aging. However older adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression. If you are concerned about a loved one, offer to go with him or her to see a health care provider to be diagnosed and treated. It is a true medical condition that is treatable, like diabetes or hypertension. Someone who is depressed has feelings of sadness or anxiety that last for weeks at a time.