Depression in the Elderly–Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Special Aspects, and Treatment Options

Abstract

The prevalence of Late-life Depression (LLD) is estimated between 10 and 15 % and therefore LLD is a considerable world-wide problem. The psychopathology is not substantially different from that of depressive episodes in young adults, but somatic complaints in combination of end-of-life perspective leave an imprint on emotional experience. Frequent suicide ideation, especially in old unmated men, remains a particular challenge. It is important to combine psychiatric and somatic diagnostics including modern methods such as cMRT (magnetic resonance tomography) or extensive clinical laboratory to exclude organic underlying diseases. The treatment is a multidisziplinary approach including biological, psychotherapeutic and physiotherapeutic or sociotherapeutic methods. Modern antidepressants and augmentation strategies allow to treat the old-aged population with sufficient safety, tolerability and therapeutic efficiency.