Bipolar Disorder in Older Age Patients [Paperback]

This book provides a comprehensive but practical understanding of the clinical approach to evaluating and caring for older people with bipolar disorder. Aspects of aging that impact the diagnosis, clinical course, and management of bipolar disorder are explained; in particular, attention is drawn to the implications of comorbidities and medical complexity for the psychiatric care of older individuals with the disorder. On the other hand, similarities to treatment in younger patients are also identified. The coverage includes thorough review of current research in the field. Clinical case vignettes are used throughout to highlight practical points, and each chapter includes clinical pearls that summarize key points for the clinician. The book closes by examining anticipated research directions and the future needs of this patient population. rist working with older patients with bipolar disorder.Part I: Introduction, Overview and Epidemiology: Definition, what is late-life bipolar disorder, what is known about demographics.- Distinguishing late-onset  vs early- onset bipolar disorder.- Bipolar 1 vs bipolar 2 disorder.- Natural history and course of illness, including morbidity, use of psychiatric and medical services.- Part II: The Clinical Assessment: Differential diagnosis, including distinguishing late-life bipolar disorder from frontotemporal dementia and from disinhibition syndromes due to neurologic disease and from secondary mania due to medications.- Aspects about the clinical interview, aspects to address in obtaining relevant history from patients and families, useful psychometric scales for office use, risk assessment,  cognitive assessment.- Comorbidities: medical comorbidities, psychiatric comorbidities, including anxiety disorders and substló–