Work

Antidepressants and Apathy in Geriatric Psychiatry: First Do No Harm

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Apathy is a common but challenging syndrome in geriatric psychiatry, often leaving clinicians with difficult therapeutic questions. Imagine the patient brought in by family because he sits motionless in front of the television for hours on end, or the patient who stoicly refuses to attend social events. Unlike depression, where patient suffering is evident, apathy presents a unique dilemma as patients often report no complaints, while their families and caregivers are in significant distress. The question of how to approach treatment in these scenarios is at the heart of ‘The Association of Antidepressants and Apathy in the Geriatric Population: A Systematic Literature Review’ by Guasch et al where the authors examine the role that antidepressants may play in the management of apathy in geriatric populations.

Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Open Science Education and Practice

DOI: 10.1016/j.osep.2025.04.001

Authors: Christopher B. Morrow, J. Craig Nelson

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Treatment of Major Depression

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,700