Treating Psychotic Symptoms in Elderly Patients

AUTOR(ES)

Targum, Steven D.

FONTE

Physicians Postgraduate Press

RESUMO

Research has shown that elderly patients are especially at risk for the development of psychotic symptoms. A combination of factors contributes to the increased risk for psychosis in this patient population. Various DSM-IV diagnostic categories including delirium, schizophrenia, delusional disorder, mood disorders, dementia, substance abuse, and medical-neurologic conditions can be associated with psychotic symptoms. In general, medications are prescribed for specific target symptoms, started at low doses, and titrated gradually. Although buspirone, trazodone, valproic acid, and carbamazepine have been used with some success, antipsychotic medications have been the primary treatment of psychosis in the elderly. Because the atypical antipsychotics offer effective management of psychotic symptoms combined with low liability of extrapyramidal symptoms, these agents may be the current treatment of choice for psychotic symptoms in the elderly when used cautiously.

Documentos Relacionados

• Is cabergoline a better drug to inhibit lactation in patients with psychotic symptoms?
• Psychotic and affective symptoms of early-onset bipolar disorder: an observational study of patients in first manic episode
• Psychotic and affective symptoms of early-onset bipolar disorder: an observational study of patients in first manic episode
• Cotard's syndrome and major depression with psychotic symptoms
• Efficacy of milnacipran in treating anxiety symptoms in schizophrenic patients receiving clozapine : a case series study