How Sad: The Geriatric Depression Scale Quiz

The Geriatric Depression Scale, the Zung Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory are all tools used for screening depression. (We made up the Marshall Depression Evaluation.)

The GDS requires only yes or no answers. This has been cited by some as the reason it's so effective -- it's very simple and doesn't confuse people.

Dr. Virginia Apgar developed the Apgar score, a way of rating the health of newborn babies. Dr. Drake Ramoray is a character from the TV show "Friends." Dr. Jerome Yesavage helped develop the Geriatric Depression Scale.

Women are 70 percent more likely than men to experience depression, although older men with depression are more likely to commit suicide.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has proven very effective in treating depression in older adults who can't tolerate antidepressants. Lobotomies and ice baths are still decidedly unpopular as treatments for mental illness.

By 2030, it's estimated that people 65 and older will make up 19 percent of the U.S. population, a big jump from previous generations.

Late-life depression can present differently than depression with an earlier onset. Often, executive dysfunction is an issue. Someone with late-life depression may have trouble with response inhibition, for example. Sleeping either too little or too much is a symptom of depression in all age groups, whereas a rash is not considered to be a symptom of depression at all.

Depression following hospitalization for an illness shouldn't be considered normal; rather, the person is in need of treatment. It's true that depression is not a natural part of aging, despite a societal tendency to view aging as depressing.

Widows and widowers are considered to be at a higher risk for depression than people who remain married.

Aging Baby Boomers have a higher incidence of late-life depression than previous generations have. Mental health in late life is a public health concern.

Despite what you may think from watching the news, older adults have higher suicide rates than any other age group.

Within a week of their death, more than a third of older adults who committed suicide saw their doctor. Almost all the rest saw their doctor in the previous month. This means that screening and intervention are both possible and necessary in older populations.

The vascular depression hypothesis is that cerebrovascular disease, also known as CVD, may predispose, precipitate or perpetuate depression in people with certain neurological conditions. The other two answer choices are nonsense.

Yesavage, who helped develop the GDS, is a professor at Stanford.

Thyroid disease and Parkinson's are both known for having depression as a symptom. Lambert's neuropathy is a made-up disease.

Fluoxetine, more commonly known by the brand name Prozac, is an SSRI. Bupropion, sold under the name Wellbutrin, is an SNRI, while trazodone is a presynaptic antidepressant.

St. John's wort is a common alternative treatment for depression. However, just because a substance is natural doesn't mean that it isn't harmful; some herbs can react negatively with prescribed medications, for example. Tell your doctor all medicines you're taking, including supplemental vitamins and herbs.

The Geriatric Depression Scale is less effective at screening those with dementia for depression.

Right now, depression affects about 5 million people age 65 or older in the U.S.

The short-form version of the GDS was developed in 1986.