Affective disorders in the elderly.
Elderly patients, just as younger ones, may suffer from the two extremes of affective disturbance known as mania and depression. Either may be secondary to underlying organic causes often requiring specific treatment. For primary disorders, treatment typically consists of pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy. Pharmacologic treatment of nonorganic conditions is essentially similar to that used in younger patients, although medication dosages are generally lower and side effects more common.
D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States