LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION - TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR PRIMARY-CARE PRACTICE- A ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION .2.

Most patients age 65 and older with symptoms of depression respond wel l to treatment. Choices of therapy include medications, electroconvuls ive therapy (ECT), and psychotherapy. Every primary care physician sho uld be comfortable with using at least two or three medicines from dif ferent drug classes. The likelihood of side effects depends on the ant idepressant prescribed and other medications the patient might be taki ng. The combination, of medication with psychotherapy appears more eff ective than one or the other alone. ECT is the treatment of choice whe n rapid results are needed (eg, if the patient is suicidal or losing w eight quickly and in danger of a medical crisis). The physician/patien t relationship can be a strong antidepressant.