Depression in the Elderly (cont.)
What Types of Treatment Are Available for Older Individuals with Depression?
There are several treatment
options available for depression including medicine, psychotherapy
(counseling), electroconvulsive therapy or in more difficult to treat cases, a
combination of these treatments.
Antidepressant Medicines
Most of the available antidepressants are
believed to be equally effective in elderly adults, but the risk of side
effects or potential reactions with other medicines must be carefully
considered. For example, certain older antidepressants—such as amitriptyline
and imipramine—can be sedating and cause a sudden drop in blood pressure
when a person stands up, which can lead to falls and fractures.
Antidepressants may take longer to start working in older people than they
do in younger people. Since elderly people are more sensitive to medicines,
doctors may prescribe lower doses at first. In general, the length of treatment
for depression in the elderly is longer then it is in younger patients.
Psychotherapy
Most depressed people find that support from family
and friends, involvement in self-help and support groups, and psychotherapy are
very helpful. Psychotherapy is especially beneficial for those patients who
prefer not to take medicine, as well as for those not suitable for treatment
with drugs because of side effects, interactions with other medicines, or other
medical illnesses. The use of psychotherapy in older adults is beneficial with
a broad range of functional and social consequences of depression. Many doctors
recommend the use of psychotherapy in combination with antidepressant
medicines.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT plays an important role in the
treatment of depression in older adults. Because many older patients are unable
to take traditional antidepressant medicines due to side effects or
interactions with other medications they may be taking, ECT is an extremely
effective alternative.
Next: What other problems affect treatment of depression in the elderly? »
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