title: Treating depression in old age: the reasons to be positive.
abstract: Depression affects 10-15% of people over 65 living at home in the United Kingdom. It is the commonest and the most reversible mental health problem in old age. Depression is associated with physical illness and disability, life events, social isolation and loneliness. Depression in old age carries an increased risk of suicide and natural mortality. Recognition and simple intervention can reduce morbidity, demand on health and social services and the cost of community care. Despite a favourable response to treatment, depression remains largely undetected and untreated.
authors.affiliation: Sir Douglas Crawford Unit, Mossley Hill Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents