This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Depression or Dementia? Similarities and Differences

Differentiating the signs and symptoms of depression from those of dementia can be a tricky business in an aging population. The symptoms of one often mask or mimic the symptoms of the other. Misconceptions about one or both diseases can lead to inaccurate assumptions by well-intended caregivers.  By understanding the differences, similarities, and overlap, and by keeping careful notes, you can help your loved one’s physician make appropriate treatment decisions.

Estimates of the prevalence of depression in the elderly range from one in ten to two in ten. Estimates of co-morbid depression among those already diagnosed with dementia are as high as 68%. In fact, some researchers have postulated that depression itself may serve as a risk factor for the development of dementia or as one of the first signs of dementia onset.

Because depression is such a common affliction among the elderly population as a whole, caregivers would be well-advised to be especially vigilant to any developing signs or symptoms. Make careful note of day-to-day changes in mood, sleep patterns, eating habits, isolative behavior, suicidal or homicidal ideation, and psychotic episodes (e.g., delusions, visual or auditory hallucinations).

Find out what's happening in University Placewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A daily log can be invaluable to a physician in assessing patterns and progression of symptoms, and can help you, your doctor, and your loved one make important decisions regarding any necessary changes in medications or other forms of treatment (e.g., psychotherapy). Be sure to include dates, observed symptoms types, and relative severity in your log.

In addition to keeping a daily log to help your doctor in differential diagnosis, you may also want to take advantage of family caregiver training. Family caregiver support classes are available from Heartwarming Care. Their one-hour course entitled “Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia” can be especially valuable.  These courses take place at online. You can contact them using this link.

Find out what's happening in University Placewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Caring for an aging loved one can be a challenge. Having Heartwarming Care in your corner will help you meet that challenge head on, and succeed.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from University Place