Chapter 11: Psychological Disorders

Question 1

How do Ageist Attitudes impact treatment and diagnosis

Answer 1

1. Assume aging is associated with depression
2. React to clients as to their own family members
3. Believe that older adults don’t need special treatment
4. Set stage for harmful self-stereotypes

Question 2

What is Major Depressive Disorder

Answer 2

- extremely sad mood, most of the time, for 2 weeks
symptoms
- appetite and sleep disturbances
-loss of interest
- feelings of guilt
- difficulty concentrating
- low sense of self worth 
(older adults are less likely to be diagnosed but often have depressive symptoms)

Question 3

What are the contributing factors for older adults and Major Depressive Disorder

Answer 3

• Mobility limitations
• hypertension
• sensory impairments
• pain
• stroke
• lack of vitamin D
• Metabolic syndrome and diabetes
• sleep disturbances
• tooth loss

Question 4

Why are older adults under diagnosed/ treated for major depressive disorder?

Answer 4

1. physicians and health care professionals are not trained in diagnosis of older adults
   (medical and psychological symptoms may co- occur, should look for possible contributing psychosocial factors)
2. physicians don’t spend enough time with client
3. attitudes toward depression in older adults
4. symptoms not accurately reported.

Question 5

Assessment of Major Depressive Disorder in Older adults

Answer 5

1. Specific Symptom Measures
   - CES-D
   - Geriatric depression scale
2. Important to distinguish depression from dementia (pseudo-dementia)
   - depression: dysphoria more severe, exaggerate memory loss
   - Dementia: overconfident in memory