Diagnosis and management of late life depression: A guide for the primary care physician

Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide a brief and practical approach for the primary care physician regarding the recognition, diagnosis, and management of depression in elderly patients. Method: Empirical evidence and current recommendations regarding the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of depression are reviewed as the basis for this approach. Appropriate modifications for geriatric depression are added where indicated. Results: The recommendations are listed by category and briefly explained. Conclusions: It is important to be vigilant for the variety of depressive presentations that occur in older primary care patients. Neurological causes of depression (such as stroke), suicide, and a longer time to recovery are all more frequent concerns in older depressed patients.