Latest news with #Schlechter
DW
5 days ago
- Health
- DW
Late-life depression: Learn to spot the signs early – DW – 07/25/2025
Depression goes undiagnosed when symptoms are mistaken for age-related physical illnesses. We need to treat mental health issues earlier in life. It is perhaps the last place you would expect to find a generational divide, but even in mental health, we (those of us of a certain age) are told, "We (those of us of a younger age) are more aware of mental health than you" — as if awareness alone could remedy depression. There is actually some truth to this. "There are shifts in younger generations and also in older generations. But unfortunately mental health is still very stigmatized for older adults," said Pascal Schlechter at the Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Germany. "It's quite a big step [for some people] to admit, 'I have a mental health problem and I want to talk about it.'" But it's not only older patients who lack awareness or a willingness to talk about depression. It can also be their doctors, who may misdiagnose a mental health problem as a physical one, common when you grow old. "If a 30-year-old tells you they've stopped going out and are withdrawing [from social interaction], you would ask them, 'Is anything wrong with your mental health? Are you depressed?'," said Schlechter. "But with an older person, you might say, 'You're fatigued. It's just part of the normal aging process. Just rest.'" To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The generational divide closes when we talk about symptoms of depression — there is little to no difference in depression between younger and older adults. While at Cambridge University in the UK, Schlechter co-published a paper on the development of depressive symptoms in older adults, based on the results from a longitudinal study that tracked the progress of more than 11,000 people over a period of 16 years. Schlechter and colleagues found the same symptoms in older adults as in younger adults: Patients expressed they , or that , they , had , or felt . However, they noted: "In older adults, depression often presents with more somatic symptoms than in younger populations." When we spoke in July 2025, Schlechter added: "Medical or somatic symptoms may be part of a depression, but [older adults] often misattribute these symptoms to their aging process. This can lead to delayed recognition, [and as a result] their depression may manifest more chronically." So, there is that difference: Whether it's due to a lack of awareness among patients and physicians, or stigma, depression can be worse for older people. That may be because the depression is combined with — or, in part, "triggered" by — a somatic (physical) illness, or symptoms of depression were left unaddressed earlier in life — perhaps also due to a lack of awareness or stigma. As with most illnesses the earlier depression or anxiety are diagnosed, the better the chances of treating them. Some social factors also contribute to depression. As we enter late life, we are often forced to adjust to changes in our social status, our identity through work or elsewhere in a community, and people start dying around us. We may even experience abuse from our carers, as highlighted information from the World Health Organization on depression — another, potential contributing factor. All these things can bring what may have been a mild, latent depression to the fore in a chronic and severe way. There is a sense when talking to experts in the field that physicians may prefer to tackle physical ailments in older adults than mental ones. No matter what age a person is, depression is difficult to treat. But when older adults present with both physical and mental health problems, it is even harder. "In both poorer and richer health systems in Europe, one of the main instruments we have to deal with depression is medication," said Albino Oliveira-Maia, who heads the Neuropsychiatry Unit at the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. "When treating older adults [with] medication, [there is a] higher likelihood for interaction with other medication and for toxicities [to occur]," Oliveira-Maia told DW. "That might mean physicians pay more attention to physical health problems than mental health." But medication is not the only treatment for depression — there are also a range of psychotherapy options, or so-called talk therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, and many others, specific to a patient's situation. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video One aspect of depression we have not touch on yet is suicide. Suicide affects all groups of people, young and old, male and female. But regulation often prevents people from participating in research if they are known to have suicidal thoughts or show suicidal behavior. And that means there is a lack of understanding and knowledge among researchers. "This is obviously an ethical concern," said Oliveira-Maia. "It's an act of generosity to participate in a research program, so we need to protect the people. But in doing that, there are sometimes consequences that lead to slower progress for some of the patients that are most in need." People over 65 years can also be excluded from trials if they have existing medical conditions, such as vascular lesions in the brain, said Oliveira-Maia. Scientifically, this makes sense, even if only from a cold, unemotional perspective: If people die or their illnesses worsen during a trial, it can make it impossible for other teams to verify the results — which is a standard process and safety net in research, especially in the development of new medication. Both Schlechter and Oliveira-Maia have reservations about awareness campaigns, and specifically about self-diagnosis, which can go either way — a younger person may be more inclined to say, "Yes, I have a mental health problem" even if they don't, and an older person may deny all the signs. "For younger generations, there is more public awareness due to social media. And there are good campaigns that provide valid information," said Schlechter. "But there's also a lot of misinformation out there." Oliveira-Maia, meanwhile, is concerned about people misdiagnosing themselves, whether they are young or old. "While [they are] valuable, there is also some data to suggest that the awareness campaigns can in themselves lead to misclassification in that some people that are healthy can value their normal symptoms of sadness and anxiety as a mental health problem." The solution, as always with any illness or symptom that concerns you, is to speak to a health professional you can trust.
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
IFZA leads global dialogue as key partner of Smart Cities Summit North America 2025
Dubai, UAE: IFZA, Dubai's most dynamic Free Zone community, is pleased to announce it is the key partner for the upcoming Smart Cities Summit North America (SCSNA), taking place from the 6-8 May at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco. This year's summit, held in collaboration with Charter Cities Institute, Deep Tech Week, Leading Cities, Miami-Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Smart Cities Americas, and the Smart Cities Council, will bring together 450+ global experts from government, business, and academia. Focussed on the theme 'Public Safety, AI, and Africa & Middle East in Focus', the event explores how innovation and policy are shaping the future of urban living. IFZA will lead several sessions and conversations at the event, including a keynote address from Holger Schlechter, IFZA's CFO, who will speak on Dubai's role as a global business gateway and IFZA's vision to enable international entrepreneurship, digital economies and drive Foreign Direct Investment into the UAE. 'This summit is a milestone in IFZA's expansion into the US,' Schlechter said. 'San Francisco and Silicon Valley represent the very spirit of entrepreneurship, and we are proud to be part of an event that reflects our core values. At IFZA, our mission is to empower businesses to grow from Dubai and beyond. By being here, we are introducing more than just a launchpad for American businesses in Dubai - we're building bridges that enable innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth between the US, Middle East. Where smart cities and IFZA combine perfectly is the notion of social transformation through economic innovation – this is what IFZA offers and which is central to SCC's mission.' 'In mid-2024 SCC and IFZA commenced our partnership, and from the beginning the strong and strategic links between UAE and the USA were clear, which is why we convened the summit. Roll forward nine months and we've had the UAE announce a $1.4 trillion investment in the USA in advance manufacturing, energy and AI, and the new Administration make the UAE one of the first stops on its international calendar,' added Corey Gray, Chair & president of Smart Cities Council. 'Add to the discussion the ability for UAE – Dubai in particular – to be a home base and launchpad for the broader Middle East as well as African engagement, and it is a compelling strategic alliance.' As the Middle East regional lead for the Smart Cities Council (SCC), IFZA is committed to forging meaningful connections, sharing global expertise, and enabling international innovators to scale their smart city solutions from Dubai to the world. This mission reflects the broader UAE - US partnership, as both nations continue to strengthen ties across AI, clean energy, infrastructure, and smart technologies. As one of the most open and future-ready economies, the UAE remains a significant economic partner of the United States, and events like the Smart Cities Summit play a crucial role in accelerating cross-border innovation, investment, and collaboration. Today, more than 1,500 US companies operate in the UAE, including Microsoft, Bank of America, Cleveland Clinic, Uber, and Starbucks. Ranked 8th globally in Kearney's 2024 FDI Confidence Index, the UAE continues to attract American businesses with its diversified economy - where more than 75% of activity stems from non-oil sectors - and its consistently pro-business regulatory environment. The summit also follows the recent UAE–USA bilateral talks, which focused on joint investments in AI, healthcare, Future Tech and industrial innovation. With senior delegations in attendance from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, the event is expected to catalyse high-level dialogue and unlock new cross-border opportunities. Smart Cities Summit forms a key step in IFZA's US engagement roadmap, which also includes participation in Deep Tech Week San Francisco (June 22 - 27), Smart City Expo Miami (October 6 - 8), and the flagship Deep Tech Week Dubai (November). About IFZA IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimising the country's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its network of Government Authorities and Professional Partners. Business Owners and Employees can also benefit from a wide spectrum of value-added services within the IFZA ecosystem, including but not limited to property solutions, visa packages and training and development. The IFZA Business Park offers a wide variety of cutting-edge office facilities tailored to meet each Licensee's individual needs and provides a professional, welcoming environment to greet clients, network with other businesses and thrive. For details contact: Daniel Ford Head of Corporate Communications, IFZA dford@ About Smart Cities Council Headquartered in Washington DC, Smart Cities Council, ('SCC'), is the world's largest and longest-running membership-based Social Impact Organisation for Smart Cities, Smart Buildings, and Technology. With operations in over 30 countries globally, SCC leads policy and advocacy, and through Global Thought Leaders, Regional Leads, Task Forces, Events, and Partnerships SCC develops thought leadership, knowledge, playbooks, educational assets and tools that enable the creation of positive, self-sustaining social, environmental and economic benefits. Contacts: Robyn Francis Events and Engagement Lead Smart Cities Council
