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Treatment of Late-Life Psychosis

  • Geriatric Disorders (K Zdanys, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Psychosis in late life is a cause of significant distress, suffering, and decline in the quality of life for patients, caregivers, and family members. While psychotic symptoms in later life may be related to long-standing, chronic conditions, the new onset of delusions and hallucinations often presents a diagnostic dilemma to the clinician. This paper seeks to review the overall causes and conditions related to psychosis in later life and discuss available treatment options.

Recent findings

The paucity of new research in the areas of psychosis in late-life and the near absences of clinical drug trials in this area is a source of great frustration to the practicing clinician. The need to abstract and modify drug dosing and treatment regimes for frail, elderly patients based on available data is typically required. The minimal availability of psychotherapy research in the area of psychosis in late life is troubling.

Summary

Antipsychotic medications may be safely and effectively utilized for the treatment of psychosis in late life. Side effect monitoring is vital, and agents for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia may be required.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 317 E 17th Street, New York, NY, 10003, USA

    Victoria Chima MBBS, MPH, Nwayieze Ndukwe MD, MPH, Camille Mendez Maldonado MD, Priya Sharma MD & Melinda S. Lantz MD

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  1. Victoria Chima MBBS, MPH
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  2. Nwayieze Ndukwe MD, MPH
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  3. Camille Mendez Maldonado MD
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Correspondence to Melinda S. Lantz MD.

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Chima, V., Ndukwe, N., Maldonado, C.M. et al. Treatment of Late-Life Psychosis. Curr Treat Options Psych 5, 211–227 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-018-0148-y

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