Treating depression in alzheimer's patients

Getting appropriate treatment for depression can significantly improve quality of life. They also found that treatment of depression can reduce caregiver stress. Simple non-drug interventions, such as an activity or exercise program, can be very helpful.

Furthermore, there is also a famous “look-alike”: the so-called “dementia syndrome of depression” in which a person affected primarily by a depressive disorder experiences mental slowing and forgetfulness that suggests AD. Certain interventions may be more effective for one person than another, but non-drug approaches should generally be tried before proceeding to the use of a medication.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — for example,. Regular physical exercise may help ease the symptoms of depression. Support groups and counseling.

A person with depression should be offered a range of treatments , depending on how severe or long-standing their depression is. These may include self-help, talking therapies or antidepressant medication. Apathy, depression and anxiety.

Patients with dementia have more comorbid illnesses than non-demented peers, with approximately of those with AD having or more medical conditions.

Behavioral problems in dementia are extremely common and include agitation, psychosis, anxiety, and depression 2. In many cases, they become depressed when they realize that their memory and ability to function are getting worse. Together, depression and Alzheimer dementia can cause other symptoms. You may not want to go places or see people anymore. Your outlook and quality of life can suffer.

This drug’s main effect is to decrease symptoms, which could allow some people to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. Now, from a large, randomized clinical trial, reported online July in the Lancet, call that practice into question. Researchers led by Sube Banerjee at King’s College London, U. Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of sertraline hydrochloride for the treatment of major depression in Alzheimer disease, and to evaluate the effect of depression reduction on activities of daily living, cognition, and nonmood behavioral disturbance. Depression is a fairly common experience for people with dementia. However, while common, it is not normal, nor is it inevitable.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or a way to stop or slow its progression, there are drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms. A class of antidepressants referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are often used to treat anxiety in older dementia patients who require it for long-term use. These medications can include Lexapro, Prozak, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft.

Consult with their primary care doctor.

Get a mental health referral with geriatric experience. Try medications to treat depression. Talking therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy may not. Medications are generally the first line. Lithium is sometimes used to treat bipolar disorder in older adults but it’s not a treatment for difficult behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s or related dementias.

Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment for very serious depression, not for dementia. Visual hallucinations are present in half of patients with Lewy-body dementia, which is also frequently accompanied by agitation or even physical aggression.