The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among Seniors
Introduction: This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence, underlying determinants, and treatment modalities of depression in older adults, highlighting the roles of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Materials and Methods: A comprehensiv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62919 |
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| author | Magdalena Jabłonowska Paulina Grzeszczuk |
| author_facet | Magdalena Jabłonowska Paulina Grzeszczuk |
| author_sort | Magdalena Jabłonowska |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction: This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence, underlying determinants, and treatment modalities of depression in older adults, highlighting the roles of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using the following keywords: "geriatric depression", "late-life depression", "elderly depression", "depression treatment", "psychotherapy", "exercise", "electroconvulsive therapy".
Summary: Depression, especially in older adults, is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood and loss of interest. Despite its high prevalence, it often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in this age group. Risk factors include chronic illnesses, social isolation, and bereavement, while protective factors involve physical activity, resilience, and social support. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach combining pharmacotherapy - primarily SSRIs and SNRIs - with non-pharmacological interventions such as psychotherapy, exercise, and electroconvulsive therapy for severe cases. Regular monitoring and individualized treatment adjustments are essential for improving outcomes in elderly patients with depression.
Conclusions: Depression in older adults is a prevalent and frequently underrecognized condition that adversely affects their health and quality of life. Successful management requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates appropriate pharmacological treatments with nonpharmacological strategies such as psychotherapy and physical activity. Personalized treatment plans and regular monitoring are crucial to achieving better clinical outcomes and reducing the overall burden of depression in the elderly.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78ca4be92daa4213bc7e6f1cafa5b0c8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-78ca4be92daa4213bc7e6f1cafa5b0c82025-08-20T04:02:44ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-08-014410.12775/QS.2025.44.62919The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among SeniorsMagdalena Jabłonowska0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7076-2910Paulina Grzeszczuk1https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3522-1567University Clinical Hospital in Bialystok M. C. Skłodowskiej 24a, 15-276 Białystok, PolandUniversity Clinical Hospital In Bialystok Introduction: This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence, underlying determinants, and treatment modalities of depression in older adults, highlighting the roles of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using the following keywords: "geriatric depression", "late-life depression", "elderly depression", "depression treatment", "psychotherapy", "exercise", "electroconvulsive therapy". Summary: Depression, especially in older adults, is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood and loss of interest. Despite its high prevalence, it often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in this age group. Risk factors include chronic illnesses, social isolation, and bereavement, while protective factors involve physical activity, resilience, and social support. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach combining pharmacotherapy - primarily SSRIs and SNRIs - with non-pharmacological interventions such as psychotherapy, exercise, and electroconvulsive therapy for severe cases. Regular monitoring and individualized treatment adjustments are essential for improving outcomes in elderly patients with depression. Conclusions: Depression in older adults is a prevalent and frequently underrecognized condition that adversely affects their health and quality of life. Successful management requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates appropriate pharmacological treatments with nonpharmacological strategies such as psychotherapy and physical activity. Personalized treatment plans and regular monitoring are crucial to achieving better clinical outcomes and reducing the overall burden of depression in the elderly. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62919geriatric depressionlate-life depressionelderly depressiondepression treatmentSSRIelectroconvulsive therapy |
| spellingShingle | Magdalena Jabłonowska Paulina Grzeszczuk The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among Seniors Quality in Sport geriatric depression late-life depression elderly depression depression treatment SSRI electroconvulsive therapy |
| title | The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among Seniors |
| title_full | The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among Seniors |
| title_fullStr | The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among Seniors |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among Seniors |
| title_short | The Hidden Struggle: Depression Among Seniors |
| title_sort | hidden struggle depression among seniors |
| topic | geriatric depression late-life depression elderly depression depression treatment SSRI electroconvulsive therapy |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62919 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT magdalenajabłonowska thehiddenstruggledepressionamongseniors AT paulinagrzeszczuk thehiddenstruggledepressionamongseniors AT magdalenajabłonowska hiddenstruggledepressionamongseniors AT paulinagrzeszczuk hiddenstruggledepressionamongseniors |