Menninger Clinic

Depression Most Often Confused with Alzheimer’s

June 14, 2004 - Depression is the most common psychiatric illness confused with Alzheimer’s disease, because so many of the symptoms are similar: personality and mood changes; difficulty concentrating, and loss of zest for even favorite activities. Mental health professionals at the nationally known Menninger Clinic alert families to become more informed of the similarities of depression and the early onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Other shared symptoms include forgetfulness or lapses in memory, withdrawal from daily activities, indecisiveness, reduced sense of self-esteem, change in sleep patterns, agitation or decrease in energy and change in weight.

All of these are symptoms of depression that may or may not be seen with early Alzheimer’s, says Alice Rogan, M.D., psychiatrist at The Menninger Clinic and assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine.

Alzheimer’s affects 4.5 million Americans 65 or older. Serious symptoms of depression affect nearly 5 million in the same age group. Neither disease is a normal part of aging.

“People with Alzheimer’s can become depressed. This is especially true in the early stages of Alzheimer’s when they remain self-aware and know that something is wrong with them and that their competence in living is declining,” says Lisa Lewis, neuropsychologist at Menninger and associate professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine.

Early diagnosis and treatment of either illness is important to making daily life more enjoyable. No person with Alzheimer’s should have to suffer from depression as well. Feeling depressed, anxious and helpless in addition to being aware of the loss of memory and orientation often makes living with the illnesses worse both for the person who is suffering and the immediate family members.

“What families need to know is that these illnesses can and should be differentiated. Seek out health and mental health professionals who are familiar with depression and Alzheimer’s. Choose someone who’s willing to take a careful history with family input to make a thoughtful diagnosis and treatment plan. For depression in the elderly, there are psychiatrists who specialize in geriatric psychiatry,” Dr. Rogan explained.

Medications have been proven to treat depression effectively. In these instances, treating the depression not only improves the person’s perceived well-being, but it can reduce or eliminate the mental functioning issues resulting from the depression.

Talk therapy can supplement medical treatment for both illnesses when individuals have mild Alzheimer’s, Lewis and Rogan said. Working with a psychotherapist can be valuable for coping with the adjustment of having a mortal disease and preparing to make decisions with family during progression of Alzheimer’s.

The Menninger Clinic is a national specialty psychiatric hospital for adolescents and adults in Houston, Texas. Menninger is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital System at the Texas Medical Center. Founded in 1925 in Topeka, Kansas, Menninger has consistently been ranked among the leading psychiatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in its annual survey of America’s Best Hospitals.