GERIATRIC DYSTHYMIA

This article reviews what is known about the epidemiology, clinical ch aracteristics, and treatment of dysthymia in the geriatric age group. Although less common in the elderly than in young adults, dysthymia ma y have its onset in middle or late life. Geriatric dysthymia appears t o have less associated psychiatric comorbidity and closer links to sev ere life stresses, particularly medical illnesses, than dysthymia with early-age onset. Preliminary reports of response to antidepressant me dications are encouraging in the elderly, but randomized, placebo-cont rolled clinical trials are needed in samples of dysthymic patients in this age group.