CORRESPONDENCE et al, 1998). The prevalence of affective disorders (major depression, dysthymia, mania, hypomania and bipolar disorder) was reported as only 1.7% among those aged 65 years and over, while it was 5.8% among the total adult population. Because mental disorders were reported in this survey to have a much higher prevalence among young people (over 20% at age 18-44 years, compared with 6.1% after age 65 years), the hhister for Health emphasised the need for a national focus on mental health services for young people. The New South Wales Department of Health referred to the same survey and commented on the lower mental health morbidity of older pcople, in a document describing plans for the distribution of resources. Survey repom can be misinterpreted. Clinicians and administrators may need to be reminded that treatment for depression may be of benefit to far more older people than just those with a diagnosis of major depression. In this context, I agree that some prevalence studies should be recognised (at least by budget-holders) as "not that interesting".-, D. (1999) WROOEP Cornortiurn and late-life depression. British Pumd of Ryhiotr)c 174,284-285. Cupdad, J. R. M. (1999) Dep-ession d dder age. origins of the study. W h jnmd of Ryhiotq 174.
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