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Managing depression in older people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Cornelius Katona
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Although common and disabling, depression in old age remains both underdetected and under-treated. This is particularly regrettable in view of its high risk of chronicity, recurrence and suicide, as well as the considerable burden of associated health care costs. Despite the availability of a variety of physical and psychological treatment options of well-established efficacy, there is little recent evidence of improvement in either clinical practice or patient outcome. An understanding of the principles of management of depression in elderly patients requires some knowledge of the differences between such patients and their younger counterparts. The clinical presentation and diagnosis of depression in old age, its epidemiology and prognosis are reviewed briefly below, before focusing on the practicalities of treatment.

Type
Research Article
Information
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , July 1996 , pp. 178 - 185
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 1996 

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