The Experience of Older Adults Facing Depression for the First Time in Old Age

Analysis of recent studies show that researchers find it hard to distinguish between Late Onset Depression, a first diagnosed major depressive episode which occurs at old age, and Early Onset Depression, a depressive episode at old age with a history of previous episodes. Since current data, about the phenomenology and etiology of Late Onset Depression, lake conicity it is unclear whether this phenomena should be considered as a distinct subtype of depression. Nevertheless, the wide spread assumption is that Late Onset Depression has a stronger correlation with brain damage and environmental risk factors such as the common losses at old age and weaker correlation with family history and genetics when compared to Early Onset. Although many researchers consider brain damage to have the main contribution to the emerge of Late Onset Depression, the fact that depression has a negative effect on one's health supports the claim that it might be the result and not the rick factor. Since Late Onset Depression correlates with the common losses at old age, the investigators propose that an existential approach that deals with one's meaning, freedom, responsibly and death, might be more appropriate. Thus, the investigators ask how do older adults experience depression which they face for the first time in old age? Current study will seek to understand older adults' experience of Late Onset depression through existential paradigm by using a semi constructed interview.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: MAjor Depressive Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Interview

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 15

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Israel
  • Hod HaSharon, Israel
    • Shalvata MHC

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 62 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Israeli men and women after the age of retirement, 67 and 62 respectably, who are diagnosed with a major depressive episode, minor depressive episode or show depressive symptoms for the first time in their lives at old age.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Men aged 67 or more, women aged 62 or more
2. Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Minor Depressive Disorder or Adjustment Disorder with depressive features made after the age of 67 with men and 62 with women.
3. Basic understanding and ability to converse in Hebrew.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of at least one previous major depressive or minor depressive episode before the age of 62 with women or 67 with men
2. Mental Retardation or Autistic Spectrum Disorder
3. Significant cognitive impairment observed by the primary physician.
4. Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder.
5. Depressive episode with psychotic features
6. Substantial suicidality

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Retrospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Late onset depression	Other: Interview; Each subject will be interviewed using a semi constructed interview.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Data analysis	All the data collected, from each semi structured interview, will be analyzed by the investigator to find similarities or differences between the older adults' experience and to identify specific existential themes.	10 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Shalvata Mental Health Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2017
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): October 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 23, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 31, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): January 4, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): January 4, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 31, 2016
• Last Verified: December 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major
• Other Study ID Numbers: shalvataMHC