We’re all familiar with the phenomenon of suicide, but there’s another kind of death that results from losing all hope. It’s called “give-up-itis,” and a researcher has now identified markers of the extraordinary condition as well as areas of the brain that may influence it. Give-up-itis, formally known as psychogenic death, usually follows a trauma… Continue reading The Death of Hope
Tag: apathy
Why Depression in Later Life is Often Overlooked
Depression can occur at any age, but it’s often overlooked in adults 65 and older—a population that is expected to soar to 72 million by the year 2030. In her new book Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide, Dr. Deborah Serani says depression affects an estimated 15 percent of Americans aged 65 and older,… Continue reading Why Depression in Later Life is Often Overlooked
Preventing Apathy in Dementia Patients
Nursing home residents with dementia are less likely to be apathetic if they live in an appropriately stimulating environment, according to a multi-university study published in June 2015 in The Gerontologist. A release from Penn State notes that clear stimulus is found in an environment without competing background noise, and with a single straightforward stimulus.… Continue reading Preventing Apathy in Dementia Patients