DEPRESSIVE-DISORDERS AND OTHER EMOTIONAL ISSUES IN THE ELDERLY - CURRENT ISSUES

Much progress has been made in understanding the nature, causes and tr eatment of late-life depressive disorders. Early diagnosis and treatme nt of depression in the elderly remains challenging to the clinician, but ultimately provides opportunities to reduce suffering and increase quality of life, to prevent suicide, to restore optimal levels of fun ction and independence and to decrease the societal costs of healthcar e. Late-life depression must not be considered a natural part of the a ging process. Despite the challenges and complications of diagnosing l ate-life depression, it is possible both to recognize the symptoms and initiate treatment. Antidepressants have proved both safe and effecti ve, and are beneficial in combination with psychotherapy. Additional e lderly-specific studies are at present under way to determine more ful ly the nature of late-life depression, and to inform diagnostic and tr eatment strategies.