Study based on analysis of data derived from liaison psychiatry services provided by Psychiatry Clinic in somatic and surgery departments of Kaunas Medical University Clinic during the period June 1 – September 31 of 2007. All elderly patients (≥ 65 years) referred by their treating doctors underwent unstructured clinical examination of consultant psychiatrist and structured interview regarding previous contacts with psychiatrists and treatment with psychotropic drugs. Pearson chi-square used to compare the equality of frequencies.

Data was obtained for 1026 elderly patients. 56 (19,5 %) patients were diagnosed any form of depression and 10 (3,5%) were diagnosed any anxiety disorder. 48 subjects (72,7%) were previously using psychotropic drugs: 39 (59,1%) were using benzodiazepines, 7 (10,6%) antidepressants and 2 (3,0%) antipsychotics. Benzodiazepines were predominant drugs (X2=50,38: p=0,0001) mostly prescribed by general practitioners. Just 7 (10,6%) subjects were previously consulted by psychiatrists and treated with antidepressants.

Despite sampling limitations of the study we can conclude that benzodiazepines are overused for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders of elderly in Lithuania what can be due insufficient referrals to psychiatric evaluation.