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Treatment-Resistant Depression in the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2005

Deirdre Bonner
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, London, England, U.K.
Robert Howard
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London, England, U.K.
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Abstract

Apparent treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is frequently encountered by and poses particular challenges for the old-age psychiatrist. The prevalence of true nonresponse to treatment is not known with accuracy but reports put it at 18% to 40% for the elderly. This article reviews the concept of TRD in the elderly, discussing the factors involved in apparent resistance and the treatment of this group. We suggest that absolute TRD may be a rarer entity than the estimated 18% to 40% if depressed patients are treated carefully and vigorously.

Type
Introduction
Copyright
© 1995 Springer Publishing Company

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