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what is the most effective treatment for depression in older adults? coursehero

by Mr. Felton Herman Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Depression occurring in older patients is often undetected or inadequately treated. Antidepressants are the best-studied treatment option, but psychotherapy, exercise therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy may also be effective. Psychotherapy is recommended for patients with mild to moderate severity depression.

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What is the best treatment for depression in older adults?

Psychological therapies and exercise may also be effective for mild-moderate depression, for patients who prefer nonpharmacological treatment, or for patients who are too fra … Major depression in older adults is common and can be effectively treated with antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy.

Is psychotherapy effective in the treatment of depression in older adults?

A substantial body of evidence supports the use of various forms of psychotherapy as well as somatic treatments in the treatment of depression in older adults.

What is the significance of depression in older adults?

The Significance of depression, a type of mood disorder, is the most prevalent mental health problem among older adults. It is associated with distress and suffering. Contingency management is a sort of behavioral treatment in which people are rewarded or'reinforced' for showing signs of good behavior change.

What is depressive depression and how is it treated?

Depression is more than just feeling sad or blue. It is a common but serious mood disorder that needs treatment. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, and working.

What is the most effective treatment for depression in older adults group of answer choices?

Psychotherapy, counseling, or “talk therapy” that can help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior. It may be done with a psychologist, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), psychiatrist, or other licensed mental health care professional.

What therapy would a professional recommend for elderly depression?

Group-CBT is recommended for the treatment of depression in older adults.

Which drug is the first choice for treating depression in older adults?

Citalopram, moclobemide, and probably fluoxetine are more effective than placebo in older depressed patients. The serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline as well as milnacipran and venlafaxine are probably (but not unequivocally) as effective as older antidepressants in this population.

What is one effective treatment for major depressive disorder?

Psychotherapy, or traditional talk therapy, is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder.

What are the most effective ways of managing depression in older adults?

Treatments for depression include medicine, psychotherapy or counseling, or electroconvulsive therapy or other newer forms of brain stimulation (such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS). Sometimes, a combination of these treatments may be used.

What kind of therapy is used to treat depression?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps an individual identify and change negative thoughts and associated behaviors. People who suffer from depression often struggle with negative thought patterns. These thought patterns can influence our behavior.

How can older adults prevent depression?

Here are some tips to keep active and feel better – physically, mentally and socially.Exercise. Stay active. ... Stay in touch with others. ... Get enough sleep. ... Eat healthy meals, making it a point to avoid too much sugar and junk food.Volunteer, care for a pet, or find a good movie or book that makes you laugh.

Do antidepressants help the elderly?

Antidepressant medications are a cornerstone of treatment for depressed elders. Although they are optimally provided in conjunction with psychotherapy, in many cases they are used alone.

What is the best and safest antidepressant?

The investigators recommend sertraline as the best choice for an initial antidepressant because it is available in generic form and is therefore lower in cost. They further recommend that sertraline, instead of fluoxetine or placebo, be the new standard against which other antidepressants are compared.

What are the 2 types of treatment for major depressive disorder?

There are several treatment methods for major depression disorder. These approaches include psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), and other somatic therapies. However, ECT is generally avoided, except in extreme circumstances, in favor of both psychotherapy and antidepressants.

What are two treatments for depression?

If your depression is mild to moderate, psychotherapy may work as well as an antidepressant. You can get talk therapy on your own, with your family, or in a group. Your doctor will help you find the best type for you. Exercise is another good treatment for mild depression.

What is the latest treatment for depression?

On March 5, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first new medication for major depression in decades. The drug is a nasal spray called esketamine, derived from ketamine—an anesthetic that has made waves for its surprising antidepressant effect.

What is the best treatment for depression?

This evaluation will help determine a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Common forms of treatment for depression include: Psychotherapy, counseling, or “talk therapy” that can help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior.

Why is it so hard to recognize depression in older people?

Depression in older adults may be difficult to recognize because older people may have different symptoms than younger people. For some older adults with depression, sadness is not their main symptom. They could instead be feeling more of a numbness or a lack of interest in activities.

What is a medical condition that causes depression?

Depressive Disorder Due to A Medical Condition – depression related to a separate illness, like heart disease or multiple sclerosis. Other forms of depression include psychotic depression, postmenopausal depression, and seasonal affective disorder.

What is the purpose of antidepressants?

Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression . There are many different types of antidepressants. They may help improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. You may need to try several different antidepressant medicines before finding one that improves your symptoms and has manageable side effects.

How long do thoughts of death last?

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts. If you have several of these signs and symptoms and they last for more than two weeks, talk with your doctor. These could be signs of depression or another health condition. Don’t ignore the warning signs.

What are the risk factors for depression?

There are many things that may be risk factors of depression. For some people, changes in the brain can affect mood and result in depression. Others may experience depression after a major life event, like a medical diagnosis or a loved one’s death.

How does age affect medicine?

As you get older, body changes can affect the way medicines are absorbed and used. Because of these changes, there can be a larger risk of drug interactions among older adults. Share information about all medications and supplements you’re taking with your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the best treatment for depression in older people?

Depression occurring in older patients is often undetected or inadequately treated. Antidepressants are the best-studied treatment option, but psychotherapy, exercise therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy may also be effective. Psychotherapy is recommended for patients with mild to moderate severity depression.

How to treat depression in older adults?

Major depression in older adults is common and can be effectively treated with antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy. Psychological therapies and exercise may also be effective for mild-moderate depression, for patients who prefer nonpharmacological treatment, or for patients who are too fra ….

How many people have major depression?

Major depression occurs in 2% of adults aged 55 years or older, and its prevalence rises with increasing age. In addition, 10% to 15% of older adults have clinically significant depressive symptoms, even in the absence of major depression.

Why are antidepressants dangerous?

Although antidepressants may effectively treat depression in older adults, they tend to pose greater risk for adverse events because of multiple medical comorbidities and drug-drug interactions in case of polypharmacy.

What is the best treatment for depression in older adults?

APA's Clinical Practice Guideline recommends three psychotherapy interventions as well as a second-generation antidepressant (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors — SSRIs, selective-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors — SNRIs or norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors NDRIs ) for the treatment ...

Why do older people need SSRIs?

Second-generation antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs or NDRIs) are recommended for older adults due to the reduced risk of side effects and safety in the event of overdose. If considering medication for older adults with depression, the panel recommends combining it with interpersonal psychotherapy.

What is the second generation of antidepressants?

Second-generation antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — SSRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors — SNRIs or norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitors — NDRIs) are recommended for older adults due to the reduced risk of side effects and safety in the event of overdose.

How many sessions of IPT should an older person take?

On average, older adults receive 16 to 20 weekly sessions of IPT. If considering this treatment for older adults with depression, the panel recommends augmenting with a second-generation antidepressant. IPT is recommended for the treatment of depression in older adults. How IPT can help treat depression in older adults.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression symptoms: Symptoms are seen as having both biological (e.g., sleep/wake functioning, eating patterns) and psychological (e.g., sadness; feelings of guilt) underpinnings . Social functioning: The way one interacts with significant others and responds to social situations.

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy targets current problems and symptoms and focuses on the relationship among behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, and aims to change those patterns that reduce pleasure and interfere with a person’s ability to function at his/her best.

Is the information contained herein sufficient to enable one to become proficient in delivering these treatments?

The information contained herein is not sufficient to enable one to become proficient in delivering these treatments . Clinicians are encouraged to pursue training opportunities and, to become fully competent in new interventions, to receive consultation or supervision while first delivering the intervention.

What is the best treatment for depression?

Supportive therapy is recommended for the treatment of depression in adults. How supportive therapy can help treat depression in adults. Supportive therapy can be helpful for people who are, for example, currently struggling to find meaning in their life or cope with events and situations effectively.

How often should I get support for depression?

On average, adults receive four to 20 weekly or bi-weekly sessions of supportive therapy. Supportive therapy is recommended for the treatment of depression in adults.

What is the APA clinical practice guideline?

APA's Clinical Practice Guideline recommends seven psychotherapy interventions as well as a second-generation antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — SSRIs — serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors — SNRIs — or norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitors — NDRIs) for the treatment of depression in adults.

What is psychodynamic therapy?

Using psychodynamic therapy to treat depression in adults. There are very different models of psychodynamic therapy. Variations (often integrated in treatment) are based on drive/conflict, interpersonal/relational, or attachment theories.

What is cognitive therapy?

The cognitive therapy model proposes that holding negative views (also known as “schemas”) of the self, the world, others and the future are likely to lead to the development of unhelpful thinking patterns that play a role in the biological and emotional symptoms of depression.

What is medication used for?

Medication is often prescribed for the treatment of depression in adults. As each patient varies in his/her response and ability to tolerate a specific medication and dosage, medications must be tailored to the individual.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression symptoms: Symptoms are seen as having both biological (e.g., sleep/wake functioning, eating patterns) and psychological (e.g., sadness; feelings of guilt) underpinnings . Social functioning: The way one interacts with significant others and responds to social situations.

How does depression differ between older and younger people?

Older adults are less likely to endorse affective symptoms and more likely to display cognitive changes, somatic symptoms, and loss of interest than are younger adults.

Why do older adults not experience depression?

Since most older adults experience disability, bereavement, or other stressful events in late life, and since most older adults have age-related changes in immune, neurological, and other biological systems , it is of considerable interest to know why most older adults do not experience depression.

How prevalent is depression in the cardiovascular system?

Depression is particularly prevalent in cardiovascular disease. Approximately 20-25% of heart disease patients experience major depression, and another 20-25% report symptoms of depression that do not meet criteria for major depressive disorder (Carney & Freedland, 2003).

How much depression is associated with Type II diabetes?

DIABETES . Prevalence estimates for depression in patients with Type II diabetes are as high as 15% for major depression and approximately 20% for elevated depressive symptoms (Li, Ford, Strine, & Mokdad, 2008).

What is the goal of prevention?

PREVENTION. Prevention efforts may aim to prevent a first onset, a recurrence in late life, or a relapse following treatment. Since over half of older adults with depression have the first onset in late life, it is as appropriate to design prevention efforts targeting first onsets in this age group as at earlier ages.

What are the symptoms of late life depression?

Sleep disturbance, fatigue, psychomotor retardation, loss of interest in living, and hopelessness about the future may be more prevalent in late-life depression than in depression in younger or middle-aged adults (Christensen et al., 1999).

Is depression a spectrum disorder?

Some (Judd, Schettler, & Akiskal, 2002) but not all (Ruscio, Zimmerman, McGlinchey, Chelminski, & Young, 2007) evidence suggests that depression may occur on a spectrum, with symptoms that do not meet syndromal criteria for major depressive disorder representing a less severe manifestation of the same disorder.

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