Psychiatric Bulletin (1995) 19: 226-227. doi: 10.1192/pb.19.4.226
© 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
A depression screening day for the elderly in a general practice setting
Walter Forbes, Senior House Officer,
Diana E. Tracy, Registrar in Psychiatry,
Ross J. Hamilton, Registrar in Psychiatry and
John M. Eagles, Consultant Psychiatrist*
Ross Clinic, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB9 2ZH
* Correspondence
Unrecognised and untreated depression is common, particularly in the elderly. This paper describes an attempt to offer screening for depression to 4,500 people over the age of 60. Only two people attended and both were depressed. This may have related to the arrangements for screening, to the symptoms of depression, to inadequate publicity or to characteristics of the elderly population. Others contemplating screening for depression in elderly populations are advised to adopt a different methodology.
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists.