Abstract
Major depressive disorder can affect anyone regardless of age. In geriatric populations depression is often overlooked and untreated, which subsequently may lead to serious consequences. Almost one third of elderly patients with depression fail to respond to initial treatment and require adjunctive treatment. Methylphenidate is one such option, which is seldom used in the geriatric population to treat depression despite reports of improvement in symptoms of mood within a brief period of time. Methylphenidate is also available in a patch formulation that can be used in patient's nonadherent to the medication, which is reported to be an issue in as many as 75% of the geriatric population. Here we present three geriatric patients who were diagnosed with recurrent severe major depressive disorder without psychotic features. The three patients responded well with methylphenidate as adjunctive treatment to conventional antidepressants.
Highlights
Depression, which is one of the most common mental health problem, is found to a ect more than two million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older [1]
Symptoms of depression can a ect the geriatric population’s ability to participate in rehabilitation and other aspects of care leading to an increase in adverse outcomes [2]. e geriatric population can present treatment challenges
25–30% of patients fail to respond to initial treatment [3], which leads requiring additional treatment
Summary
Depression, which is one of the most common mental health problem, is found to a ect more than two million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older [1]. Methylphenidate is one medication that has been recommended for use to augment antidepressants in geriatric depression [4]. He presented with depressed mood, tearfulness, anxiety, decreased oral intake, hopelessness, and passive suicidal ideations. There was some improvement in mood with the venlafaxine, the patient was still experiencing symptoms of intermittent tearfulness, low energy, and decreased oral intake.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
