Depression and Dementia

Dementia and depression are major disorders that can be difficult to discern, particularly in the elderly. Alzheimer's disease is the greatest cause of dementia in adults sixty-five and older. Depression is also a usual condition in aged adults and can have symptoms that mirror senility cases. Although, stringent testing processes are in place that help ascertain whether a person has dementia or depression, conflicts and similarities between the two include cognitive symptoms, speech, neurological difficulties, and behavioral signs.

Types:

When talking about depression and dementia, there are various different categories that aid in identifying the differences between the two. When pertaining to depression, mood changes are generally discussed. Common types include:

• Major depressive disorder,


• Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD


• Dysthymia,


• Bipolar disorder

All feature particular characteristics, but all are typical of the mood swings experienced in depressed persons.

Three types of dementia:

• Primary: Dementia due to brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's


• Secondary Dementia: Caused by disease or trauma, such as head injuries, multiple sclerosis, strokes, and AIDS


• Pseudodementia: Usually caused by depression

Cognitive Similarities:

There are reasons why it is puzzling to recognise dementia from depression. Cognitive disabilities are not unusual with these disorders. Memory difficulties that consist of trouble calling up simple events can inhibit a person's daily life and relationships. In addition to this, it could be problematic to distinguish between depression and dementia in the elderly, due to the possibility of reduced mood changes that commonly occurs in depressed people. This may not be evident in dementia disorders.

Speech and Neurological Differences:

There is a dramatic difference between dementia and depression when it relates to speech and neurological problems. Dementia patients often have mild to severe neurological and speech difficulties that advance during the disease process, such as:

• Difficulty recalling simple terms


• Using the incorrect words or speech


• Problems remembering how to perform routine tasks, such as how to tie their shoes


• Opposite of this, depressed persons don't experience speech communication and neurological difficulties as those with dementia do. Although the depressive disorder might slow down speech or movements, language and neurological skills are generally rather normal


• Behavioral Deviation

The distinct behavioral deviations between dementia and depression include:

Constant negative spin placed on events or things in daily life, such as memory lapses that might occur. Attempt to hide or justify a lapse in memory that took place rather than being negative. Concealing memory difficulties is particularly exhibited in the early phases of dementia, where the person could be in denial or disbelief.

Treatments:

The treatments for depression and dementia are not the same, depending upon the type of disorder. Depression is ordinarily addressed with a combination of depression drugs and psychotherapy.

On that point, there exists a variety of dementia that can or can not be treated. For dementia that can be treated, that is induced by infection or brain injury, the correct therapies can often cure it. For advancing dementia disorders, such as Alzheimer's, drugs are used that can lessen some of the symptoms but can not heal the disease.

by Barb Hicks, RN