Psychiatric disorders in the elderly

Preview

As the geriatric population increases, so do the health problems related to aging. Psychiatric symptoms in the elderly are prevalent but often ignored. Because these symptoms may indicate a somatic illness or a true emotional disorder, thorough patient evaluation is essential. The authors point out the physiologic changes in the elderly that may affect patient management, describe the common psychiatric disorders of this age-group, and discuss how to choose appropriate psychotropic therapy.