Abstract

*Dr. Shakti Raj Rai, Dr. Ramnihor Tapsi Jaiswal and Dr. Manohar Ram

ABSTRACT

Depression is a major health problem and an important public health challenge worldwide. Geriatric depression is widespread problem but it often remains unrecognized or untreated because of wrong belief of no treatment. It is generally considered as a normal part of ageing. Geriatric Depression is a mental and emotional disorder effecting older adults. In India elderly person constitutes 8.6% of the total population (India census 2011), which is projected to reach 19% by 2050.[1] Thus depression among elderly population is likely to be a major cause of disease burden in the future due to increased high risk of morbidity, decreased physical, cognitive and social functioning and greater self, negligence result in geriatric depression. Through this paper I want to attract one?s thought towards our most important part of society, root of family, old one?s depression problems which is most of the time wrongly identified by the families and older peoples. Stigma attached to mental illness and psychiatric treatment is even more powerful among older peoples. Through this work I want to overrule this stigma.