Effective Treatment of Depression in Older African Americans: Overcoming Barriers R U T H S H I M, M D, M P H A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R, D E P A R T M E N T O F P S Y C H I A T R Y A N D B E H A V I O R A L S C I E N C E S A S S O C I A T E D I R E C T O R O F B E H A V I O R A L H E A L T H, N A T I O N A L C E N T E R F O R P R I M A R Y C A R E
Objectives To review the epidemiology of late life depression To discuss racial/ethnic disparities in late life depression To describe the depression care process To examine evidenced-based treatment of depression in older adults
Overview of Depression The leading cause of disability worldwide 4 th leading cause of total disease burden 16.2% lifetime prevalence in the United States (conservative estimate) 6.6% 12 month prevalence in the US
Late-Life Depression Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric diagnosis among the elderly Prevalence in adults aged 65 and older in 2004: 17% of women 11% of men Depression in elderly leads to increased disability, morbidity, and risk of suicide, poor adherence with medical treatments, increased mortality from medical illnesses
Late-Life Depression by Setting Prevalence of major depression in older Americans Community Settings (1-3%) Primary Care Settings (5-9%) Institutional Settings (12-30%) Depression is more prevalent among younger adults, but older adults are less likely to be identified and treated
Diagnosing Depression in Older Adults Depression should not be considered just a normal part of aging Depression in older adults may look different than in younger adults More anxiety and anhedonia symptoms More physical health problems More ambivalence about life Sadless depression Depression can be confused with dementia Pseudodementia
Challenges in Late-Life Depression Depression can be confused with the effects of multiple illnesses and the medications used to treat older adults Comorbidities are the rule, not the exception Advancing age results in loss of support systems (death of spouse, siblings, retirement, relocation), which increase the risk for depression
Disparities in Treatment Engagement and Retention Older adults seek mental health treatment less than any other age group 50% of adults over 65 are in need of mental health services, only 20% receive treatment Older adults prefer psychotherapy to pharmacotherapy, but are rarely follow up when given a referral to therapy
Barriers for African Americans Older Adults with Depression African American older adults are less likely to receive an accurate diagnosis of depression compared to White older adults African American older adults are less likely to receive empirically supported treatments for depression compared to White older adults
Barriers for African Americans African American older adults suffer more psychological distress due to racism, discrimination, poverty, violence, etc. African American older adults often have fewer psychological, social, and financial resources for coping with stress than White older adults
Comorbidities in Older Adults Late-Life Depression Doubles the risk of cardiac diseases Increases the risk of death from medical illness Reduces the ability to rehab from medical illness
Prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder in Chronic Disease 51% 42% 27% 23% 17% 16% 12% 11%
Challenges in Elderly Underserved, Low Income Populations Poor access to care Disability Mild Cognitive Impairment Dealing with Social Adversity
Depression in the Elderly and Suicide Increased risk of suicide in elderly Suicide rate in people ages 80 to 84 is twice that of the general population Suicide in people age 65 and older is a major public health problem
Myths about Treating Late Life Depression Mental health treatment is not effective There is no cure for depression Antidepressants are addictive and like street drugs There are too many side effects with antidepressant medications
African American Older Adults More likely to deal with depression through: Informal support networks Church Primary care physicians Depression in African Americans is less likely to be detected in primary care than it is in whites
Cultural Coping Strategies Self-reliance Keeping busy Staying active in the community Cooking and cleaning Self-medicating alcohol and nicotine Pushing through the depression Denial Relying upon God
Racial/Ethnic Disparities Among Older Adults African Americans seek treatment at half the rate of Whites Attend fewer sessions when they do seek treatment Tend to terminate treatment prematurely Limited research shows African American older adults with depression are less likely: To be in treatment To intend to seek treatment in the future To have ever sought mental health treatment for depression
Barriers to Treatment Ageism Shame/Stigma Cultural Barriers Fear/Distrust of the Treatment System Lack of Knowledge Lack of Insurance/Financial Barriers Transportation African Americans have greater negative attitudes toward seeking treatment (in some studies)
Depression Care Process Step 1: recognition and diagnosis Step 2: patient education Step 3: treatment Step 4: monitoring
Step 1: Recognition and Diagnosis The clinician suspects that a patient may be depressed Patient may self-identify Patient may present with somatic complaints Clinician may use screening tools Formal assessment must be done to confirm the diagnosis
Step 2: Patient Education Clinician and staff education patient about depression and the care process Engage the patient Determine patient preference for treatment
Patient Education EXTREMELY IMPORTANT Stigma and lack of education will lead many people to avoid treatment Information about what depression is (and is not) Steps involved in treatment How antidepressants work common questions and answers What to expect from psychological counseling
Step 3: Treatment Clinician and patient select the appropriate management approach Three Phases of Treatment Acute aims to minimize depressive symptoms and achieve remission Continuation tries to prevent return of symptoms during current episode Maintenance focus is to prevent lifetime return of new episodes
Treatment for Depression in Elderly Medication Psychotherapy Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Antidepressant Medications Medications are equally effective in older adults SSRIs are well tolerated May take longer to start working May need to start at lower doses in elderly Tricyclic antidpressants Orthostatic hypotension increased risk of falls Urinary retention Less well tolerated at effective doses Anticholinergic effects Cardiac side effects
Antidepressant Medications SSRIs Fluoxetine Sertraline Paroxetine Citalopram/Escitalopram SNRIs Venlafaxine/Desvenlafaxine Duloxetine Other Antidepressants Mirtazapine Bupropion
Psychotherapy In general, many African Americans prefer psychotherapy (in theory) to medication Referral and follow through is often difficult Access to effective therapy is limited in underserved populations Limited providers Insurance limitations
Psychotherapy Preference Although preferred, few older African Americans use this option 50% copayment for outpatient psychotherapy under Medicare Less practical weekly appointments
Electroconvulsive Therapy Extremely effective in older adults Barriers include access/availability Effective when medications are contraindicated, or when there has been limited response to medication Stigma regarding ECT limits availability of this therapy
Step 4: Monitoring The clinician and support staff monitor compliance with the plan and improvement in symptoms/function Modify treatment as appropriate Goal is remission
Stepped-Care Aims to provide the most effective but least intrusive treatment appropriate to an individual's needs Assumes that the course of the disorder is monitored and referral to the appropriate level of care is made depending on the person s difficulties Each step introduces additional interventions Higher steps normally assume interventions in previous steps have been offered and/or attempted
The Stepped-Care Model
Conclusions Late life depression is a major public health problem that must be addressed Racial/ethnic disparities exist in the diagnosis and treatment of late life depression Late-life depression is treatable and recovery is possible Specific treatment of depression should be tailored to fit the unique needs of African American older adults
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