[Depression in old age]

Depression is the most frequent psychiatric disorder in old age. Some patients have had depressive episodes or other psychological disorder in an earlier part of their life span. Older people show more somatic or cognitive complaints compared to younger depressives. Risk factors for depression in old age are (incident) physical disorders, sleep disorders or loss of spouse. Depression worsens course and prognosis of comorbid somatic disorders. A major consequence is the high suicide rate in the elderly. Depression is also a risk factor for other disorders like dementia or institutionalisation. The interplay between depression and dementia and other organic brain disorders is complex und still unresolved. Depression in the elderly is a challenge for our health system. Recognition and treatment rates are still too low. Integrative treatment plans for depression with comorbid physical disorders or in various settings should be developed. With the growing elderly population the available evidence for treatment urgently has to be increased. In current practice drug therapies--mostly inadequate--dominate. Psychotherapy should be promoted and the number of old age psychotherapists increased.