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Although some elderly people with depression develop classic symptoms such as persistent sadness and despair, others may seek help for less typical symptoms such as heart palpitations, fatigue, tremors, or vomiting. People may also report cognitive problems such as an inability to concentrate or remember things. It’s not entirely clear why symptoms of depression in the elderly may differ from those in younger adults. Coexisting medical problems, medication side effects, and the natural aging process may all contribute. Dr. Michael Miller, editor in chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, notes that it’s important for doctors who suspect depression in an elderly patient to assess the person’s physical health problems and medications to determine whether these might be contributing to depressive symptoms. In some people, treating an underlying medical problem will alleviate depression, but other patients will require antidepressant medications (starting at half the dose used in younger adults), psychotherapy, or both. While it may take some time to determine the best treatment strategy for a particular individual, the reward is often a better quality of life. www.health.harvard.edu/mental www.HealthNewsDigest.com Top of Page 
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