PSYCH 380 Lecture 18: Abnormal Psych Chapter 18
4 May 2016
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Document Summary
Like childhood, old age brings special pressure, unique upsets, and profound biological changes. The psychological problems of elderly persons may be divided into two groups. Depression is one of the most common mental health problems of older adults. The features of depression are the same for elderly people as for younger people: as many as 20% of people experience this disorder at some point during old age. Several studies suggest that depression among older people raises their chances of developing significant medical problems. More than half of older patients with depression improve with these treatments. It is sometimes difficult for elderly people to use antidepressant drugs effectively and safely because the body"s metabolism works different later in life. Moreover, among elderly people, antidepressant drugs have a higher risk of causing cognitive impairment. Delirium is a clouding of consciousness: as a person"s awareness of the environment becomes less clear, he or she has great difficulty concentrating, focusing attention, and thinking sequentially.
