Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in the Elderly (With 1 colour plate)

Peter Hall

doi:10.1159/000245496

Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in the Elderly (With 1 colour plate)

Gerontologia Clinica ◽

10.1159/000245496 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 16 (1-3) ◽

pp. 126-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Peter Hall

Keyword(s):

Differential Diagnosis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Diagnosis And Treatment ◽

Colour Plate ◽

Treatment Of Depression

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Depression and dementia: A conspiracy ?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)73914-1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 2211-2211

Author(s):

C. Hanon

Keyword(s):

Differential Diagnosis ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Elderly Population ◽

The Elderly ◽

Scientific Data ◽

The Other ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Treatment Of Depression ◽

The Common

Depression and dementia are two very common clinical entities in the elderly population. Differential diagnosis of these disorders may pose difficulties. On the other hand, when they are comorbid, depression and dementia may affect the outcome of each other. When adequate treatment for depression is provided, patients with dementia may experience a significant improvement in cognitive functioning. Therefore, the possibility of comorbid depression and dementia should always be taken into account in the elderly population. This presentation will address the common clinical obstacles encountered while managing these disorders. Using the latest scientific data, the adequate treatment of depression and dementia will be discussed.

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Diagnosis and treatment of depression in the elderly physically ill

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/0924-9338(96)89166-8 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 365s-366s

Author(s):

Mavis Evans ◽

Maggie Hammond ◽

K.C.M. Wilson ◽

M. Lye ◽

J.R.M. Copeland

Keyword(s):

The Elderly ◽

Diagnosis And Treatment ◽

Treatment Of Depression

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Depression in the Elderly: The Unique Features Related to Diagnosis and Treatment

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900027176 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 10 (S8) ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Katherine Shear ◽

David L. Ginsberg ◽

Steven P. Roose ◽

Eric J. Lenze ◽

George S. Alexopoulos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Onset ◽

The Elderly ◽

Physical Illness ◽

High Rate ◽

Continuous Treatment ◽

Diagnosis And Treatment ◽

Medical Illness ◽

Treatment Of Depression ◽

Social Environmental ◽

The Individual

AbstractDepression affects 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans ≥65 years of age. While depression usually begins earlier in life and recurs periodically, it can present for the first time in people 80–90 years of age as well. Depression throughout the lifespan has a genetic/biological component but is also very much affected by social environmental factors. As people age, demographic factors, social support, and negative life events remain important to overall mental health, while physical illness and disability begin to take on a much more prominent role. Depression in the elderly is associated with impairment, dependency, disability, and significant distress for the individual and their family. This population is likely to present with concomitant cognitive dysfunction and medical illness, which can complicate the identification and treatment of psychiatric conditions. Bereavement is almost universal in late life and is sometimes a deterrent to appropriate diagnosis and treatment of depression. Physical frailty and diminishing social resources further complicate the treatment of depression in the elderly. Elderly individuals respond well to standard pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatments for depression. However, due to the high rate of relapse of depression in this population, continuous treatment is often warranted. This monograph will review depression in the elderly in the context of social disruptions, such as bereavement, caregiver strain, interpersonal conflict, role transitions, and social isolation; late-onset vascular depression and cognitive impairment; and physical illness including disability.

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