Short-Term Course of Mental Illness in Middle Age and Late Life

Abstract

The heterogeneity in severe mental illnesses means that although some persons exhibit a chronic course in later life, others may recover for long periods or have episodes throughout the lifespan. The challenge to mental health providers is to identify those people most at risk for a chronic or relapsing course in later life. Data described here come from a prospective study of course and adjustment in severe mental illness for persons over age 40. The sample of 313 people, residing in the community and both in treatment and not in treatment, is unique. Six 8-month course patterns were identified; nearly one third of the participants had course patterns that were unstable, and one third were well across the 8 months. Older participants were more stable and less depressed, but otherwise were very similar to those in middle age. Demographic and history variables that predict long-term outcomes were not useful for predicting short-term recovery or relapse.