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Chapter 27 - Considerations about the Treatment of Mood Disorders in Elderly Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2024

By
Lokesh Shahani  and
Louis A. Faillace
Edited by
Allan Young ,
Marsal Sanches ,
Jair C. Soares  and
Mario Juruena
Allan Young
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London
Marsal Sanches
Affiliation:
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
Jair C. Soares
Affiliation:
McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas
Mario Juruena
Affiliation:
King's College London
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Summary

Among older adults, mood symptoms can present differently than in the general adult population. Their assessment, comorbidity pattern, and treatment approach are discussed here with emphasis on the special characteristics of depression as it presents in later life. While little is known about the course of manic episodes in elderly patients, they are associated with significant morbidity, high rates of mortality, and considerable use of mental health services. This chapter also focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of geriatric bipolar disorder.

Keywords

Geriatric mood disorderlate life depressionelectroconvulsive therapygeriatric bipolar disorderatypical antipsychoticsblack box warning
Type
Chapter
Information
Clinical Textbook of Mood Disorders , pp. 287 - 293
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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