Psychotherapeutic agents in older adults. Antipsychotics: old and new

As the number of older adults worldwide continues to increase markedly, the absolute increase in their numbers means that there also will be a substantial increase in the number of older people with mental disorders. These disorders include several that manifest psychotic symptoms. Many credit the substantial reduction in the number of older people in state mental hospitals over the past 40 years primarily to the advent of antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medication. Although the traditional neuroleptic medications often are effective, they also are associated with troublesome side effects. Newer neuroleptic medications appear to be just as effective but have fewer adverse side effects.