Overview

• Professor Vjera Holthoff-Detto says older patients have strong chances of recovery when depression is identified quickly.
• She warns that each month without treatment drains limited physical and mental reserves in later life.
• Depression in older adults can be difficult to distinguish from early dementia and is frequently mistaken for normal aging.
• Guidance emphasizes antidepressants when indicated alongside psychotherapy and psychosocial support rather than waiting for symptoms to pass.
• Prevention centers on social contact, cognitive engagement and healthy diet, and public disclosures such as Wolfgang Grupp’s help reduce stigma.