Many older people are reluctant to admit that they are suffering with a mental health problem, ‘having grown up with more stigmatised beliefs about mental illness', doctors have said.

Older people now account for 16% of the Irish population and by 2050, this figure is expected to rise to as much as 30%.

According to consultant psychiatrist, Dr Declan Lyons, and psychiatry registrar, Dr Kiran Santlal, both of St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin, depression is a ‘frequently encountered condition in later life'. However its diagnosis can present ‘particular challenges'.

"Having grown up with more stigmatised beliefs about mental illness and psychiatric treatment, there is a reluctance in older people to voice concerns about their own mental health or to utilise mental health services," the doctors explained.

They said that this poses a ‘significant issue' for both the older people themselves and their GPs.

This along with age-related changes can result in inaccurate or missed diagnoses.

"Major depressive disorder adversely affects all aspects of life but because of cognitive dysfunction, exhaustion and other age-related symptoms, it may not be properly diagnosed initially or it may be mistaken for normal response to end-of-life issues such as infirmity and mortality," the doctors explained.

They noted that thoughts of suicide can be common in older people with depression and the risk of suicide ‘should be carefully assessed and managed accordingly'.

However, they emphasised that depression is ‘not a conclusive consequence of old age'.

"With appropriate treatment, social support and close monitoring, it can be properly managed and quite frequently, placed into remission."

The doctors made their comments in the Irish journal, Forum: Clinical Focus.