Living Longer Depression Free

In this guide, the authors draw on their experience in geriatric psychiatry to help the elderly, their families, and their physicians diagnose and treat late-life depression. They discuss the different types of depression, their causes and symptoms, then present the treatment options available.

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Depression affects people of all ages, but is both more common and more serious for those over 60. As many as half of all nursing home residents have depression, as do up to 40 percent of those who visit primary-care clinics. Late-life depression is a disease with unique risk factors. Health problems, physical limitations, the loss of loved ones, and fears about financial issues all contribute to an increased incidence of depression, which, despite its prevalence, is not a normal part of the ageing process. It can intensify existing medical conditions such as chronic pain and is far more likely to lead to suicide than does depression in younger people. There is good news, however: 80 percent of older people who receive treatment for depression make a complete recovery and enjoy fulfilling lives. In this guide, Mark D. Miller and Charles F. Reynolds III draw on their considerable experience in geriatric psychiatry to help elderly persons, their families, and their physicians accurately diagnose and treat late-life depression. They begin with a discussion of the different types of depression, their causes and symptoms.
The authors then describe how doctors evaluate depression; present the treatment options available to patients today, including psychotherapy, medication and alternative treatments; and offer strategies for achieving long-term mental health. Each chapter opens with a list of frequently-asked questions and uses case studies to personalize the information provided, and the book closes with a list of resources for further information, including hot-lines and web sites.