Which finding yields high suspicion for depression in older adults?

Which finding yields high suspicion for depression in older adults?

• A. Unexplained physical complaints
• B. Failure to thrive
• C. Pain inconsistent with physical findings
• D. Sad or withdrawn appearance

Answer: (D)

A sad or withdrawn appearance directly signals a mood disturbance and is a particularly strong clue for depression in older adults. In later life, mood symptoms often present subtly or are masked by medical or functional issues, so explicit sadness or social withdrawal stands out as a reliable behavioral indicator. Other findings like unexplained physical complaints, pain without a fitting physical basis, or failure to thrive can be caused by many medical, social, or environmental factors and are less specific to depression. When you see a patient who is visibly sad or disengaged from activities and relationships, it prompts you to pursue formal mood screening and further evaluation for depression, including assessing for suicidality and comorbid medical conditions.

A sad or withdrawn appearance directly signals a mood disturbance and is a particularly strong clue for depression in older adults. In later life, mood symptoms often present subtly or are masked by medical or functional issues, so explicit sadness or social withdrawal stands out as a reliable behavioral indicator. Other findings like unexplained physical complaints, pain without a fitting physical basis, or failure to thrive can be caused by many medical, social, or environmental factors and are less specific to depression. When you see a patient who is visibly sad or disengaged from activities and relationships, it prompts you to pursue formal mood screening and further evaluation for depression, including assessing for suicidality and comorbid medical conditions.