Treatment Strategies for the Geriatric Depression

Kim, Seung Hyun; Song, Hyun Cheol

Abstract

Geriatric depression is nowadays a predominant health care problem, mainly due to the progressive aging of the population. But depression in the elderly is often under-recognized and under-treated; this may be due to the mistake, both from the clinicians and from the patients, of considering depression as a physiological response to aging. The difficulties in diagnosing depression may lead to unnecessary medical investigation, delay in treatment and an increased risk of suicide. when faced with making treatment decisions for a patient with late-life depression, one must consider a number of variables. The main aim of a pharmacological treatment of geriatric depression is not only to resolve the acute episode, but also to prevent relapse and to enhance the quality of life in the elderly. In this paper, some of the most important and tolerated drugs in the elderly are reviewed. As clinicians, we are responsible for selecting the best medication treatment for a given patient. The more comprehensive our knowledge about the patient and about the efficacy profile and short- and long-term side effects of antidepressants, the more effectively we will treat late-life depression.