Treatment considerations for depression in the elderly.

While an episode of depression can first present in late life, it is more likely to be a recurrence of a disorder that began earlier in life or a continuation of a chronic form of depression. Depression in the elderly often occurs in the context of ongoing medical conditions. The treatment for these medical conditions may pose problems in treatment of depression due to increased likelihood of drug interactions. This article discusses pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of depression in the elderly population.