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Study lifts lid on depression

April 07, 2000

While depression and suicides among young people are on the increase, a
study by the University of Leicester has found that the elderly seem to be
coping better with the rigours of 21st century living.

In this cyber age of rapid technological change, a two year study of 65-74
year olds in a Leicestershire town found them to be marginally less
depressed than average, and memory loss was less common than expected.

The findings contrast sharply with figures for depression in young people -
suicide is responsible for almost one-fifth of deaths in young people, and
depression accounts for approximately three-quarters of all suicides. It is
estimated that two young people take their lives needlessly each day as a
result of depression.

April 10 sees the start of National Depression Week which is part of a
National Depression Campaign 2000 which aims to raise awareness about the
condition.

At the University of Leicester, the Department of Epidemiology and Public
Health along with Latham House Medical Practice in Melton Mowbray, have been
studying depression and dementia among 65 -74 year old adults. The project
was funded by the Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive
for Trent.

It found:

*        Around 1.5% of people in this age group are severely depressed
*        0.7 % has serious memory loss
*        only a third of those severely depressed were taking treatment
*        one in three of the severely depressed had not seen their doctor in
at least 3 months

Researcher Tony Arthur said: "This study was part of an ageing programme of
research looking at ways to promote and understand healthy ageing.

"There is certainly a difference between depression affecting the elderly
and that in the young. Mild depression is more common in the elderly, and it
is present in a more severe form among the young. Another factor in
understanding depression in older people is that it is compounded with
physical health problems.

"Treatment with antidepressant tablets does work but patients often do not
seem to want it, probably because many worry that the tablets are addictive.


"This is not true for the treatments used today. Many people stop treatment
after a month or two just as they are getting better. However, depression
takes time to improve and treatment takes at least two to four weeks to
work, with doctors currently recommending that anyone with severe depression
should continue treatment for at least 6 months."


Leicester, University of




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