Understanding Psychosis in Older Adults: Prevalence, Assessment, and Treatment Strategies-View Presentation Slides

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The document is an informative session by Dr. Rajesh R. Tampi on the topic of psychotic disorders in older adults, presented under the auspices of the American Psychiatric Association. The session provides an overview of various psychotic disorders prevalent among the elderly, outlining both primary and secondary psychoses. Primary disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and affective psychoses, while secondary disorders are linked to conditions like dementia, delirium, and Parkinson’s disease.<br /><br />The document highlights the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in older adults, noting that psychosis is observed in a significant portion of elderly individuals, particularly those with dementia. Various risk factors for psychosis in the elderly are explored, such as comorbid psychiatric illnesses, genetic predisposition, and sensory deficits.<br /><br />Dr. Tampi overviews the classification of psychotic disorders, distinguishing between early-onset and late-onset psychosis and emphasizing the differences in symptoms and risk factors. Schizophrenia in older adults is also discussed, with attention to gender differences and the impact of depressive symptoms on functional outcomes.<br /><br />The document emphasizes the importance of diagnostic evaluation in older adults presenting with psychosis, recommending comprehensive assessments, including history from the patient and significant others, neuroimaging, and laboratory testing.<br /><br />Treatment strategies for psychotic disorders in the elderly are addressed, with recommendations for medication choices tailored to the type of psychosis, considering the safety and tolerability of psychotropic drugs in this population. Psychosocial treatments and the use of ECT in older populations are also explored.<br /><br />Finally, the presentation concludes by underscoring the significance of a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating psychotic disorders in older adults, given the complexity of potential medical and psychiatric comorbidities.

Keywords

psychotic disorders

older adults

American Psychiatric Association

primary psychoses

secondary psychoses

dementia

schizophrenia

diagnostic evaluation

treatment strategies

evidence-based approach