Citation

Richards F, Curtice M. Adv. Psychiatr. Treat. 2011; 17(5): 357-364.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/apt.bp.110.008300

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mania in late life is a serious disorder that demands specialist assessment and management. However, it is greatly under-researched, with only a paucity of studies specifically analysing older populations. The mainstay of the old age psychiatry workload will inevitably be concerned with assessing and managing dementia and depression, but the steady rise in the aging population with longer survival means that there will be an increase in absolute numbers of older people presenting with mania. There are no specific treatment algorithms available for mania in late life. This article reviews mania and hypomania in late life and concentrates on diagnosis, assessment and treatment, as well as on the management considerations associated with this important age group. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; aged; bipolar disorder; psychotherapy; liver failure; prevalence; mortality; lithium; psychoeducation; morbidity; review; substance abuse; fatigue; disease association; tricyclic antidepressant agent; venlafaxine; quetiapine; anxiety disorder; coma; gastrointestinal symptom; lifespan; confusion; carbamazepine; extrapyramidal symptom; olanzapine; risperidone; tardive dyskinesia; agranulocytosis; delirium; valproic acid; mania; bipolar I disorder; hypomania; duloxetine; ataxia; diplopia; slurred speech; Stevens Johnson syndrome; economic evaluation; blurred vision