Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine

Adult and geriatric psychiatry

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Psychiatry & Psychology of the elderly is a branch of Neuro or brain disorders and forms part of the multidisciplinary delivery of mental health care to older people. The specialty is sometimes referred to as geriatric psychiatry, old age psychiatry or psychogeriatric. The population of old (and particularly very old) people is increasing rapidly throughout the developed and developing world. This reflects improving health and social conditions and is a cause for celebration. Older people remain in good mental as well as physical health and continue to contribute to their families and to society. Some mental illnesses (such as the dementias) are particularly common in old age; others differ in clinical features and/or present particular problems in management. Social difficulties, multiple physical problems and sensory deficits are also common.