Charting late-life affective disorders

Affective disorders among elders, including depression and anxiety, are more prevalent than previously believed, and can result in increased social isolation, frailty, severity of illness, and even mortality. Although there is an abundance of research regarding mood and anxiety disorders among the general population, empirical investigations of these disorders in older populations is limited. This article provides a brief overview of recent research, with an emphasis on research reviews and meta-analyses of depression and anxiety disorders among older adults, and considers signs and symptoms, prevalence, biological and cognitive correlates, risk factors, assessment, and treatment.