Management of depression in later life

Abstract

Both antidepressants and psychological treatments are effective in the management of late-life depression. Nevertheless, there remains a considerable challenge to improve the prognosis for depression in older people. Endlessly increasing the range of antidepressants does not seem to be the answer, so attention is turning to new combinations of treatments and new ways of delivering care and improving treatment uptake. Collaboration between specialist and primary care, case management and multifaceted interventions are currently the most exciting prospects. There is good evidence for the role of both medication and psychological treatment in keeping the patient well after recovery.

Risk Factors for Depressive Illness among Elderly Gopd Attendees at Upth

“…21 Other general medical conditions associated with depression include: cancer, 22 stroke, 20 coronary artery disease, 23,20 alzheimer's disease, 24 . myocardial Infarction, alcohol abuse, Huntington's disease, heart failure, 25 and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 23 Furthermore, severe anaemia, thyroid disease and malignancies could mimic depressive illness. Symptoms such as lack of energy, poor concentration and weight loss may be due to physical illness or ageing, not depression and this poses a challenge even to the most experienced clinicians.…”

Major Depressive Disorder

“…[3,64] In view of their superior tolerability and safety, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or the norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), and mirtazapine are encouraged over the use of the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). However, the following considerations apply in deciding on the most appropriate medication: availability, safety and tolerability, patient preference and patient needs, and cost.…”

Rehabilitation Programs for Elderly Women Inpatients with Schizophrenia

“…This fact continually exerts an increasing need for an appropriate response from the health and social sectors (Baldwin & Wild, 2004;Costa, 2004;Lee, Volans, & Gregory, 2003). A decrease in infant mortality, a decline in birth rates, and an increase in life expectancy have led to an inversion of the population pyramid, whereby, for the first time in Portuguese demographic history, the percentage of older adults is higher than that of youths (INE, 2002).…”