The Psychiatric clinics of North America
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Psychiatr. Clin. North Am. · Dec 2013
ReviewThe role of electroconvulsive and neuromodulation therapies in the treatment of geriatric depression.
Geriatric depression is associated with increased mortality because of suicide and decreases in functional and physical health. Many elders' depression is resistant to psychotherapy and medication and can become chronic. ⋯ Therapies that combine both strategies could be safer but may not be as effective as ECT. This review covers the evidence on the safety and efficacy of ECT and the neuromodulation therapies in geriatric depression.
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Psychiatr. Clin. North Am. · Dec 2013
ReviewLate life depression: a global problem with few resources.
Mental health disorders in terms of an aging population are discussed in this review. Statistics on depression in later life are presented with a discussion of physical health comorbidities. This presentation postulates that the health care infrastructure currently in place is inadequate to meet the present, much less the future, needs of this population. The care of the depressed elder will require the coordinated effort of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners and advanced practice psychiatric nurses, internal medicine gerontologists, internal medicine and family medicine general physicians, community agencies, and volunteers.