Chronic cheerlessness, withdrawal from friends and insomnia in elderly folks

Signs of old age develop gradually over a period of years. However, in the case of depression, massive mood changes occur in the space of several weeks. Photo: dpa

Some people complain constantly. Their food is too salty. It’s too cold (or too hot) to go for a walk. The kids playing next door are too noisy. And all of the shows on television are crap.

Sometimes it seems that the grumps are mostly elderly. Is this really so? One person who should know is sceptical about this general belief.