home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK01206}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Lithium Treatment for Depression in the Elderly}
- $Subject{depression lithium aging grief mental emotional conditions treating
- psychiatric conditions antidepressants manic-depressive manic behavior
- behaviors depressed depressions lithiums medicine medicines medication
- medications treatment treatments antidepressant}
- $Volume{E-23,R-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Lithium Treatment for Depression in the Elderly
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- QUESTION: When my father died, my mother went all to pieces. After 55 years
- of being together we thought her depression was understandable, but now the
- doctor who takes care of all the people at her home wants to put her on
- lithium as a treatment for depression. Isn't that kind of strong medicine for
- a natural reaction? With all the stories about too much medicine for older
- people, we thought your advice would be most helpful.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Your obvious concern and anxiety, plus the circumstances as you
- describe them, make a "second opinion" from another physician a wise and
- appropriate course of action. This very potent drug can be useful in treating
- depression in the elderly, but it should be used only for psychiatric
- conditions that cause depression. You are right when you say your mother's
- reaction is understandable after the loss of her husband of many years, and is
- probably normal, as depression is often a big part of grieving. The elderly
- often become depressed because of loneliness, a reaction to loss, or a
- negative reaction to medications.
- There are, however, other types of antidepressants besides lithium that
- can be used effectively at these times.
- If your mother is indeed found to be suffering from a manic-depressive
- illness, then lithium can be helpful, as it is being used successfully in some
- elderly patients. She should get regular checkups and have follow-up lab work
- done frequently for the lithium to be used safely.
- Lithium should not be given to patients with severe kidney or
- cardiovascular disease, or be taken with diuretics, as the drug could become
- toxic under these circumstances. You can see that, when obtaining another
- opinion, it is most important that you present all the history about your
- mother, including a list of medications she may be taking presently. And it
- is most important in situations such as this that you continue to monitor the
- progress of your mother. Your frequent visits may be more therapeutic than
- the medications, and you can personally verify her mental state more
- accurately.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-