Depression in the Aged: Am Overview
Psychiatric Clinics of North AmericaPublished 1 March 1988
Robert G. Ruegg, Sidney Zisook, Neal R. Swerdlow
Citations53
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TL;DR
When recognized and accurately diagnosed, the depressions of late life tend to respond reasonably well to treatment, but medication doses are lower and side effects more troublesome.
Abstract
Depression in the aged, common and associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, is a major public health problem. Diagnosis may be difficult because of often atypical or masked symptoms, intercurrent delusions, or cognitive disturbances, and interactions with somatic disorders. When recognized and accurately diagnosed, the depressions of late life tend to respond reasonably well to treatment, but medication doses are lower and side effects more troublesome.
Keywords
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