Geriatric psychiatry from a geriatrician's viewpoint

Geriatric Psychiatry

Eating disorders in general and anorexia nervosa in particular are bewildering and frightening for families, clinicians and patients alike. They are bewildering because in contrast to any other psychiatric disorder, patients often value at least some aspects of their disorder (e.g. being able to restrict their food intake, extreme exercise) and are reluctant to change. These disorders are frigh...

Geriatric psychiatry.

Can geriatric psychiatry services make a difference?

During the past 30 years, the growth of geriatric psychiatry services has been dramatic. Indeed, in this issue of International Psychogeriatrics, Reifler and Cohen report that most developed countries can boast of an impressive range of clinical services that include a variety of hospital-based, community-based, and longterm-care programs. Much of this growth has been fueled by beliefs and rhet...

The evolution of geriatric psychiatry.

developed', and for the cryptic record that 'the hitherto separate "Entertainment Fund" Bank Account operated in the name of the Medical Superintendent is closed', an obviously retrograde step which naturally I deplore. In 1884 Dr. Rutherford began an experiment whereby chronic female patients lived in a house without attendants, requisitioning their own supplies, and doing their own cooking, c...

Geriatric Psychiatry—an Upcoming Challenge

The advancing age of man brings its own specific problems to be dealt with. There is a gradually progressive decline in muscular strength, coordination , energy reserves, stress-tolerance, resistance to illness and ability to recover from illness. Joints get fibrosed, bones develop osteoporosis, muscles atrophy, skin becomes wrinkled and loses its elasticity and hair become thinner and grey. In...