Are there any clinical characteristics of depression in elderly people that could be useful for case finding in general practice?

Benzodiazepine use in the elderly: an indicator for inappropriately treated geriatric depression?

“…The higher rate of benzodiazepine use among females, especially in those living alone, and in subjects with poor physical health in our sample is consistent with findings from previous studies (Frojdh et al, 2003). These findings have been linked to a greater willingness among females to disclose psychological and physical symptoms to their physician, but also to a greater impairment of quality of life in socially isolated, chronically ill subjects.…”

Beyond weeping and crying: a gender analysis of expressions of depression

“…Femininity, as a social construct, has been created with a readiness to articulate and communicate disturbances in emotional well-being and a language rich in feelings and emotional nuances. Thus, women might find it easier to seek medical assistance [14,15]. For a long time, the apparent congruence in stereotypes of femininity Á/ submission, timidity, low self-esteem Á/ and depression has been highlighted, as Willadsen [16] pointed out: ''Depression Á/ your name is woman''.…”

Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Associated Factors in Elderly Primary Care Patients: A Descriptive Study

“…7 Some suggest that elderly individuals with unspecific symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, insomnia, or frequent use of benzodiazepines, should be screened for anxiety and depression. 22,23 There are only a few descriptive studies of elderly patients attending primary care that focus on minor and subsyndromal depression. Their main findings are that minor depression is related to physical health whereas major depression is not, that the prognosis for minor depression is better than for major depression, that vague complaints may signal depression in the elderly, and that further research should aim at identifying this group of patients in primary care.…”