Chapter 43.Older Adults
Sections
Excerpt
In comparison with those who work with younger adult and middle-age patients, psychiatrists who work with older adults face an added degree of complexity when they engage in the diagnosis and treatment of problems. Most older patients with psychiatric disorders do not fit easily into the diagnostic categories of DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association 2013) because they typically experience multiple symptoms that affect both physical and psychiatric functioning. Therefore, a focus on patient functioning is critical. In this chapter, we follow a syndromal approach by identifying seven psychiatric syndromes that are most prevalent among older individuals—acute confusion, memory loss, insomnia, anxiety, suspiciousness and agitation, depression, and substance use—and describing these syndromes within the context of managing the resultant impairment. Because the psychiatric disorders that contribute to these syndromes are described in greater detail elsewhere in this volume (i.e., Chapters 9 through 27), we focus on the aspects of the syndromes that are unique to late life and on the management of these syndromes in older adults.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
