Condition Lookup
Category:
Mental Health Disorders
Number of Conditions: 5
Depression (Late-life depression)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
persistent sadness; loss of interest in daily activities; fatigue; irritability; difficulty concentrating; feelings of worthlessness; sleep disturbances; weight changes; thoughts of death or suicide
Root Cause:
Biochemical changes in the brain, often exacerbated by aging, social isolation, chronic illness, or loss of loved ones.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis through a clinical evaluation including patient history, physical exam, and standardized depression screening tools (e.g., Geriatric Depression Scale).
Treatment:
Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy), antidepressant medications, social support, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Medications:
Antidepressants such as SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine , sertraline ), SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine ), or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline ). These medications help correct the chemical imbalances in the brain associated with depression.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10-20% of older adults, though this number may vary depending on the population studied.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age-related changes in brain chemistry, chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease), medication side effects, bereavement, isolation, and a family history of depression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper treatment, symptoms often improve, but relapse is possible, especially if underlying health issues are not addressed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of cognitive decline, disability, suicide, and poorer outcomes in managing other health conditions.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
excessive worry about a variety of topics; restlessness; fatigue; difficulty concentrating; muscle tension; sleep disturbances; irritability
Root Cause:
Dysfunctional regulation of anxiety in the brain, often linked to neurotransmitter imbalances or chronic stress.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical interview, patient history, and assessment using standardized anxiety questionnaires (e.g., GAD-7).
Treatment:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, lifestyle changes, medication.
Medications:
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline ), SNRIs (e.g., duloxetine ), or benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam ) for short-term relief. These medications help regulate mood and anxiety levels.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 4-6% of the general population, with a higher prevalence in older adults due to stressors of aging and chronic illness.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, chronic medical conditions, prolonged stress, previous mental health issues.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Treatment can significantly reduce symptoms, but GAD may be chronic, requiring ongoing management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Impaired daily functioning, poor quality of life, increased risk for depression, and physical health problems such as cardiovascular issues due to chronic stress.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
intrusive memories or flashbacks of traumatic events; nightmares; avoidance of reminders of trauma; emotional numbness; hyperarousal (e.g., difficulty sleeping, irritability); heightened startle response
Root Cause:
The brain's stress response system becomes overactive due to a past traumatic event, leading to long-term anxiety and distress.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis through a comprehensive evaluation, often using PTSD-specific questionnaires (e.g., PTSD Checklist) and clinical interviews.
Treatment:
Trauma-focused therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), medications for anxiety or depression, and stress management.
Medications:
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline , paroxetine ) for mood stabilization, SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine ) for anxiety symptoms, and benzodiazepines (e.g., clonazepam ) for short-term relief of severe anxiety.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 3-4% of the general population; higher prevalence in veterans and survivors of significant trauma, including older adults who have experienced multiple traumas.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous traumatic experiences, lack of social support, history of mental health disorders, ongoing stress, and chronic medical conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate treatment, symptoms can be managed, though some individuals may experience long-term effects.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of depression, substance abuse, physical health problems (e.g., heart disease), and impaired social and occupational functioning.
Psychosis (Secondary to Dementia or Other Conditions)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Other Psychiatric Conditions
Symptoms:
hallucinations; delusions; paranoia; disorganized thinking; agitation; social withdrawal
Root Cause:
Dysregulation of brain neurotransmitters, often associated with neurodegenerative changes in dementia or secondary to metabolic, infectious, or medication-related causes.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, including history, mental status examination, and assessment for underlying causes. Neuroimaging or lab tests may be needed to rule out secondary factors.
Treatment:
Managing the underlying cause, behavioral interventions, caregiver education, and cautious use of medications.
Medications:
Antipsychotics like risperidone or quetiapine (second-generation antipsychotics) are commonly prescribed, with consideration of risks such as increased mortality in dementia-related psychosis.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in 10-25% of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and up to 50% in other dementia subtypes like Lewy body dementia.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, preexisting dementia, severe cognitive decline, sensory impairments, and environmental stressors.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms may fluctuate, and prognosis depends on addressing the underlying cause. Chronic psychosis is associated with increased caregiver burden and institutionalization.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Higher risk of injury, worsened cognitive decline, poor quality of life, and caregiver stress.
Substance Use Disorders (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorder)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Addiction Disorders
Symptoms:
compulsive substance use; cravings; withdrawal symptoms; tolerance; neglect of responsibilities; continued use despite harm
Root Cause:
Chronic brain disease involving altered reward and motivation pathways, influenced by genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on DSM-5 criteria, including a pattern of problematic substance use leading to significant impairment or distress, confirmed by history and collateral information.
Treatment:
Behavioral therapies (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing), support groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous), and pharmacotherapy.
Medications:
Naltrexone (an opioid receptor antagonist) to reduce cravings, acamprosate (glutamate modulator) for maintaining abstinence, or disulfiram (enzyme inhibitor) to discourage alcohol use.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 10% of older adults in the U.S. experience alcohol use disorder, with varying rates for other substances.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, social isolation, depression, chronic pain, and access to substances.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Recovery is possible with treatment, but relapse is common. Long-term success often requires sustained support.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Liver disease, cardiovascular issues, falls, cognitive decline, and interactions with medications.