Final Paper on Geriactric Office Newsletter

Week 3 Assignment Proofread and Revised

By N.M. Pettit

Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry

Estimates very but in the 1950s, at the height of the psychiatric hospital era, the number of inpatients nationwide is thought to have stood at nearly 560,000. By 1965 it had dropped to 4755,000, and 15 years later it stood at about 150,000. More recently, it has fluctuated between that figure and estimates as low as 60,000 (Dowbiggin 2011, Grob 1994, Lamb and Weinberger 2001). This overall decrease of the inpatient population has led to the elimination of state psychiatric institutions.

The elimination of these institutions is not a direct result of an overall improved mental health among the American population. Instead it is the direct result of no longer needing long-term care. In some cases, it is still the best option for some patients. Therapy now emphasizes on drug therapy and community-based mental health centers. Psychiatrists continue to further understand these diseases to better serve patients who are in need of services.

Depression

Geriatric depression is a mental and emotional disorder that affects the elderly. Feelings of sadness are normal. However, lasting depression is far from a typical part of aging. While there is no single cause for depression, some research indicates that biological, social, and psychological factors may all play a role in depression in the elderly.

There is some research that indicates that physical changes in the brain are the cause of depression. Neurotransmitters are special chemicals within the brain that are used to help the organ communicate with itself and with the nervous system. When these chemicals are out of balance it is possible for depression to occur (Coleman 2012). Research is also looking for genetic traits that may be the cause for depression. If a person’s family member(s) have had problems with depression, then he or she has a greater risk of developing the condition themselves. Having a...