Detecting Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults

Detecting Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults

Detecting Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults Dr Nick Woodthorpe Depression in Older Adults Introduction to Depression • 1 in 5 older people living in the community • 2 in 5 living in care homes Causes of Depression • Painful events • Past depression or family history • Personality • Physical illness • Medicines • Drugs and Alcohol • Loneliness Particular Issues in Depression • Physical symptoms, for example, thyroid problems, heart disease or arthritis. • Long-term illness • Confusion and memory problems • A new sense of loneliness/lack of purpose Depression - Symptoms • 2 weeks • No hypomania or mania • No psychoactive drugs • No organic mental disorder Depression - Symptoms • Feeling low or sad (they may not report this) • Loss of interest in life • Low energy and tired for no reason Depression - Symptoms • Change in appetite and weight • Restlessness or psychomotor retardation • Anxious • Avoidance • Irritable • Sleep disturbance • Loss of confidence and self-esteem Depression - Symptoms • Hopelessness and worthlessness • Poor concentration • Panicky • Loss of libido • Sense of guilt • Suicidal thoughts • Delusions or hallucinations Depression - Diagnostic Categories • Mild • Moderate • Severe with or without psychosis • Recurrent Anxiety in Later Life Everyone gets anxious sometimes Everyone gets anxious sometimes Fight or Flight Response Fight or Flight Response Causes of anxiety in later life • Painful events • Stress • Past experiences- upbringing/Childhood • Personality • Physical illness • Medicines • Diet - caffeine, excess sugar, poor diet • Loneliness/Loss of role • Vulnerability • Lack of activities/social isolation Anxiety - Symptoms Psychological: • Feeling worried • Tired • Restless and irritable • Experiencing feelings of dread • Reduced concentration Anxiety - Symptoms Physical: • Fast or irregular heart beats (palpitations) • Shortness of breath • Excessive sweating • Dry mouth • Trembling • Dizziness • Diarrhoea/Stomach ache • Headache • Sleep disturbances • Muscle tension or pains • Nausea Diagnostic Categories • Phobias • Generalised anxiety disorder • Panic disorder • Post traumatic stress disorder • Obsessive-compulsive disorder Depression and Anxiety Management • Bloods • Antidepressants • SSRI • Mirtazapine • Venlafaxine and Duloxetine • Anxiolytics • Talking therapy Depression and Anxiety Management • Refer to secondary care – Significant risks: suicide/self-harm, harm from others and self-neglect – Trial of two antidepressants has not worked • If in doubt telephone for advice, regarding management or referral Antidepressant Tips • Sertraline is most cardiac friendly • Fluoxetine can be more alerting in older adults • Mirtazapine - if poor sleep and low appetite dominate • Mirtazapine 15mg ON is more sedating • Citalopram max dose is 20mg OD in older adults • Duloxetine is good for neuropathic pain Antidepressants and Hyponatraemia Older adults are particularly prone <0.5% incidence Antidepressant Total Reports of Hyponatraemia Total ADRs Reported to CSM Nortriptyline 1 404 Tranylcypromine 1 379 Reboxetine 3 885 Phenelzine 3 544 Trazodone 16 1068 Mirtazapine 26 2936 0.5-1.0% incidence amitriptyline, clomipramine, dosulepin, doxepin, imipramine, lofepramine, moclobemide, paroxetine, venlafaxine >1.0% incidence citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline Advice to give patients • Seek help and talk to someone • Keep active • Stay connected • Eat properly • Depression is an illness - not a sign of weakness • Monitor alcohol intake • Sleep pattern should improve • Be kind to yourself How can friends and family help? • Listen and encourage • Try not to blame and being patient • Provide support • Recognise achievements • Learning about condition and identifying signs of relapse Useful Links • https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp- content/uploads/2017/09/practice-primer.pdf • https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/older- people/ Thank you! Any Questions? .

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