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Late-Life Delusional Depression: Acute and Long-Term Treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2005

Barnett S. Meyers
Barnett S. Meyers
Affiliation:
Cornell University Medical College, White Plains, New York, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Treatment studies of delusional major depression demonstrate a poor response to standard antidepressant medications. Longitudinal studies demonstrate high relapse rates, even in patients receiving postdischarge antidepressants. The poor medical and psychiatric outcomes for late-life delusional depression and the increased risk for adverse medication reactions in this population underscore the importance of developing effective postrecovery treatments.

Studies of mixed-age adults demonstrate the effectiveness of acute treatment with either electroconvulsive therapy or combination pharmacotherapy with high doses of neuroleptics and antidepressants. In considering these results in relation to the treatment of late-life delusional depression, attention must be given to the particular vulnerabilities to medication side effects of elderly patients.

The potential effectiveness of continuation treatment with combined antidepressant-neuroleptic therapy is discussed. Clinical and methodologic issues related to studying the effectiveness of combination treatment in elderly patients are emphasized.

Type
Introduction
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 7 , Issue S1 , October 1995 , pp. 113 - 124
Copyright
© 1995 Springer Publishing Company

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