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[Management of panic disorder in the elderly]
Maxime Pace1, Mathilde Heckendorn1, Bruno Aouizerate2
1Centre ressource régional de psychiatrie du sujet âgé (CRRPSA), Service de psychiatrie et d'addictologie de l'adulte et du sujet âgé, DMU psychiatrie et addictologie, AP-HP Centre-Université de Paris, France.
Geriatrie Et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie Du Vieillissement
|August 8, 2020
Summary
Panic disorder in the elderly is underdiagnosed but treatable. Effective treatments include antidepressants like SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with cautious use of benzodiazepines.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Panic disorder in the elderly is understudied, leading to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.
- This condition significantly impairs function, reduces quality of life, and increases suicide risk in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current knowledge on pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments for panic disorder in the elderly.
- To propose a treatment algorithm for older patients, particularly those resistant to treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on panic disorder treatments in the elderly.
- Development of a clinical treatment algorithm based on expert opinion and extrapolated data.
Main Results:
- Emphasis on antidepressant treatment, specifically selective serotonin reuptractor inhibitors (SSRIs).
- Recommendation for restricted use of benzodiazepines and careful management of drug interactions.
- Highlighting the importance of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Conclusions:
- A treatment algorithm can aid in selecting appropriate therapies for elderly patients with panic disorder.
- Integrated pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches are crucial for managing this condition in older adults.
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