Psychotherapy of depression in elderly Volume 2

Depression is a major health problem that affects many older people causing significant distress disability exacerbating existing medical conditions & resulting in earlier death & higher use of services. In depressed older people depressed mood may be less commonly reported while somatic symptoms (loss of appetite lack of energy irritability sleeplessness worrying aches & pains) are more prominent. Elderly depressed people are more likely to have psychotic delusions than younger people.This profile has prompted the development of a separate instrument the Geriatric Depression Scale to measure depression in older people. Some aetiological pathways are also different in older people: in addition to psychosocial and genetic factors late-life depression is also associated with cerebrovascular disease & its associated risk factors (high blood pressure diabetes smoking increased serum lipid levels).The evidence for the effectiveness of a range of proposed treatments for depression in older people including medical psychological & alternative therapies & lifestyle changes. It is hoped that the book provides useful information that will help psychologists & psychiatrists.