Idaho Falls ID Psychiatrist Doctors - Information on Depression in the Elderly on MedicineNet.com

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Depression in the Elderly Center - Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls Psychiatrist Doctors for Depression in the Elderly

Type of Physician: Psychiatrist

What is a Psychiatrist?

A certification by the Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; practitioners are skilled in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, addictive and emotional disorders. He or she is trained to understand the biological, psychological and social components of illness and is qualified to order diagnostic laboratory tests and to prescribe medications, as well as to evaluate and treat psychological and interpersonal problems. The psychiatrist is also prepared to intervene with individuals and families who are coping with stress, crises, and other problems in living.

Specialty: Psychiatry

Common Name:

Psychiatrist Doctors in Idaho Falls *

Ronald M Zohner MD
Ronald M Zohner
1842 1st St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 552-5707

Kayne K Kishiyama MD
Kayne K Kishiyama
1522 Elk Creek Dr
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 552-0920

Philip W Girling MD
Philip W Girling
2267 Teton Plaza
Summit Health Professionals
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 524-4953

EIRMC Behavioral Health Center
Grace M Cobiella
3100 Channing Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 227-2293

Family Care Center
Howard A Layman
1675 Curlew Dr
Idaho Falls, ID 83406
(208) 529-8832

Family Care Center
Matthew M Pontzer
1675 Curlew Dr
Idaho Falls, ID 83406
(208) 529-8832

Kelly Palmer DO
Kelly Palmer
700 E Alice St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208) 785-1200

John Reichman MD
John Reichman
333 N 18th
Bldg A
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 234-2660

Idaho Falls, Idaho

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Depression in the Elderly

How does depression in the elderly differ from depression in younger adults?

Depression in later life frequently coexists with other medical illnesses and disabilities. In addition, advancing age is often accompanied by loss of social support systems due to the death of a spouse or siblings, retirement, or relocation of residence. Because of changes in an elderly person's circumstances and the fact that elderly people are expected to slow down, doctors and family may miss the signs of depression. As a result, effective treatment gets delayed. Many seniors find themselves trying to cope with symptoms that could have been easily treated.

Depression tends to last longer in elderly adults. It doubles their risk of cardiac diseases and increases their risk of death from illness. At the same time, depression reduces an elderly person's ability to rehabilitate.

Studies of nursing home patients with physical illnesses have shown that the presence of depression substantially increases the likelihood of death from those illnesses. Depression also has been associated with increased risk of death following a heart attack. For that reason, making sure that an elderly person you are concerned about is evaluated and treated is important, even if the depression is mild.

Depression in the elderly, especially elderly white men, is more likely to lead to suicide. The suicide rate in people ages 80 to 84 is more than twice that of the general population. The National Institute of Mental Health considers depression in people age 65 and older to be a major public health problem.

How is insomnia related to depression in the elderly?

Insomnia is usually a symptom of depression. New studies reveal that insomnia is also a risk factor for depression onset and recurrence -- particularly in the elderly.

To treat insomnia, experts recommend the newer "...

Recommended Reading Related to Depression in the Elderly

Binswanger's Disease »

What is Binswanger's Disease?

Binswanger's disease (BD), also called subcortical vascular dementia, is a type of dementia caused by widespread, microscopic areas of damage to the deep layers of white matter in the brain. The damage is the result of the thickening and narrowing (atherosclerosis) of arteries that feed the subcortical areas of the brain. Atherosclerosis (commonly known as "hardening of the arteries") is a systemic process that affects blood vessels throughout the body. It begins late in the fourth decade of life and increases in severity with age. As the arteries become more and more narrowed, the blood supplied by those arteries decreases and brain tissue dies. A characteristic pattern of Binswanger's disease-damaged brain tissue can be seen with modern brain imaging techniques such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What are the symptoms of Binswanger's disease?

The symptoms associated with Binswanger'...

Emergency Contact for Idaho Falls

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Idaho Falls Hospitals *

Idaho Falls Recovery Center
1957 E 17th St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)529-5285

Mountain View Hospital
2325 Coronado St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)557-2700

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
3100 Channing Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)529-6111

Bingham Memorial Hospital
98 Poplar St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208)785-4100

State Hospital South
700 E Alice St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208)785-1200

Madison Memorial Hospital
450 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208)356-3691

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