Psychopharmacological and electroconvulsive treatment of anxiety and depression in the elderly.
The pharmacotherapeutics of antianxiety and antidepressant medication in the elderly is reviewed, and the benefits and risks of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are discussed. Physiological changes in normal ageing are described, and the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic implications are addressed. Finally, the role of the advanced practice nurse (mental health/psychiatry) is discussed in terms of accountability, collaboration, and the development of empirical knowledge to enhance quality patient care.
Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 3-134 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2G3.
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Heffern
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods
D000928:Antidepressive Agents