The Connection Between Alzheimer's Disease and Depression

People with Alzheimer's disease typically experience a decline in memory and thinking ability. New research has found that mental health problems like depression and anxiety can also result from Alzheimer's.

More interesting is the fact that depression can occur even before cognitive issues show up.

So, what's the connection between Alzheimer's disease and depression?

A new study has found that the neural pathway of Alzheimer's disease may be the cause of depression and other mental health problems in dementia patients. That's why when their memory decline gets worse, their mental health usually worsens as well.

The researchers investigated Alzheimer's patients and looked out for things like cerebrospinal fluid, dementia severity, memory, and mental health symptoms.

They found that many proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease were associated with a higher rate of mental health issues. In essence, the mental health problems may have been caused by the brain changes during the onset of Alzheimer's, rather than the cognitive decline itself.

So, it's not like cognitive decline is what's making the individual feel a certain way. Rather, the same brain changes causing the cognitive decline may be causing the mental illness as well.

However, the researchers also noted that some mental health symptoms may result from a variety of life factors during the early stages of dementia. Of course, non-dementia patients may also have depression. But when the disease progresses, Alzheimer's is more likely the cause of mental health problems in such patients.

That said, we can't completely disregard the fact that other life factors outside of Alzheimer's disease may contribute to depression in dementia patients.

Treating Alzheimer’s Disease and Depression

Whatever the actual cause may be, dealing with mental illness and Alzheimer's disease at the same time can be a slippery slope for the patient as well as their loved ones. It's incredibly strenuous.

So, it's usually best for Alzheimer's patients to have a more holistic treatment rather than addressing their cognitive difficulties alone. They need help with their mental health problems as well.

If your elderly loved one is battling with Alzheimer's disease and depression, we can provide psychiatric care for their depression to help them feel better.

And if you're advancing in age and just now experiencing mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and apathy but your memory is still in pristine condition, it might indicate that Alzheimer's is just around the corner.

Get help now.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.