Disorders in Old Age

Disorders in older age generally subdivide into what are commonly called "functional" and "organic"

Condition Overview

Functional disorders: refers to conditions such as depression and anxiety, which are the most common.

Organic disorders: more often than not refers to dementias, of various types, but long-term conditions are also included in this category such as strokes, mild cognitive impairment, and neurological conditions which develop in older age, such as Parkinson’s disease, but also rare types of parkinsonism such as progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration and multiple system atrophy.

Space occupying lesions such as meningiomas, and haemorrhages e.g. subdural haematoma, extradural haematoma, are also seen and need to be borne in mind when assessing.

As with all disorders, management begins with a thorough history, examination and relevant investigations.

Disorders in Old Age Diagnoses

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Many older people have the early stages of a future dementia in the form of mild cognitive impairment.

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Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s dementia is the most commonly diagnosed degenerative condition in older people with ageing.

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Vascular Disease

It is known that many diseases which are more common with ageing, such as hypertension and diabetes, increase the risk of atherosclerotic damage to organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys.

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Frontotemporal Dementia

This is a rare cause of dementia but FTD has many distinct features which help to distinguish it from more common dementias such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

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Depression in Old Age

Depression in older adults can often be more severe and more resistant to treatment than in younger patients.

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Other Dementing Conditions

There are many causes of dementia other than the most common which are Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

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Why work with me?

  • I am qualified in both General Medicine (to hospital medicine standard) and in Neuropsychiatry. It is very rare to find this in any psychiatrist nowadays. This is how I am able to diagnose many complex psychiatric problems which are often poorly dealt with in general psychiatry
  • I have over 25 years’ experience as a psychiatrist. I have worked for the NHS since starting my career in medicine in 1987
  • An holistic approach in treating patients means I take the time to listen.  This gives me the best chance to piece together the whole picture and provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan back to good health
  • I am an Expert in Medicolegal cases. I am one of the leading figures in this field and have worked on over 120 cases in the past three years alone
  • I am an Expert psychiatrist.  This means I can provide second opinions to other Consultants/Doctors

Are you in need of support with possible dementia?

Are you in need of support with possible dementia?

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