The 3 Ds of Geriatric Psychiatry: Depression, Delirium, and Dementia

Topics: Apathy | Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) | Delirium | Dementia | Depression | Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) | MMSE | MOCA | SLUMS

Both common yet elusive, symptoms of depression, dementia, and delirium may overlap in older adults, proving a diagnostic challenge. Even more confounding, these three disorders—the 3 Ds—frequently present simultaneously (Downing LJ et al, Curr Psychiatry Rep 2013;15(6):365). This article will review key features to help distinguish between these di

Assessing and Treating Delirium in Older Adults

Topics: Altered Mental Status (AMS) | Confusion | Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) | Delirium | Dementia | Disorganization

Delirium is one of the most perplexing psychiatric findings in older adults. It is defined as a disturbance of attention and a change in cognition. Delirium can be a cause of altered mental status (AMS), which is a general term defined as a change in mental functioning affecting cognition, consciousness (from slight confusion to coma), or both. Delirium