Citation

Grossberg GT, Beck D, Zaidi SNY. Clin. Geriatr. Med. 2017; 33(3): 383-391.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, 1438 South Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63104, USA. Electronic address: Zaidis@slu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.cger.2017.03.007

PMID

28689570

Abstract

Depression is common in geriatric patients, especially in those with multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy. Depression in older adults is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Initial screening for depression can easily be accomplished in the waiting room. Yet the clinical interview still remains the gold standard for diagnosing geriatric depression. Key components of the clinical interview are observant watching of the patient for the subtle signs of depression. Clinical interview should be done with sensitivity to the importance of privacy. Illicit substances and medical conditions may significantly contribute. Suicide assessment should be done in a step wise manner.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Assessing depression; Depression; Elderly; Geriatric; Geriatric Depression Scale; Patient Health Questionnaire; Rating scale