Mood Disorders in Later Life

Abstract

Depression in late life differs in many ways from depression at other ages, including phenomenology, epidemiology, risk factors, and course. Older adults are less likely than younger or middle-aged adults to experience a depressive disorder, but more likely to experience subthreshold depressive symptoms. In addition, late life depression is associated with serious adverse outcomes, including elevated risk of suicide, especially among older men. This article examines the definition and classification, epidemiology, etiological and correlated factors, assessment, treatment, and prevention of late life depression, as well as the risk for suicide among depressed older adults.