The key to improving the health and quality of life of the elderly is understanding and treating the psychiatric disorders associated with late life.
This unique study guide offers readers the invaluable opportunity to evaluate their understanding of the material contained in The American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry, Second Edition, a comprehensive, clinically focused textbook that provides the critical knowledge clinicians need to deliver the highest quality of care to their patients.
This concise study guide helps clinicians assess their knowledge of the important basic science foundations, diagnostic issues, psychiatric disorders and treatments, and specific care settings in geriatric psychiatry. Its multiple-choice format, which includes answers and references at the end of each chapter of questions, corresponds to the chapters in the Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry and enables readers to check their knowledge base, review given topics as needed, and confirm their mastery of the material. Every answer includes a specific citation to the Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry.
The guide’s four sections cover the following topics, corresponding to those in the Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry:
* Section I, The Basic Science of Geriatric Psychiatry, reviews the myths, history, science of aging; physiological and clinical considerations of the geriatric patient; perceptual changes with aging; neuroanatomy/neuropathology of aging; chemical messengers; genetics; psychology of normal aging; social and economic factors related to psychiatric disorders, and epidemiology of psychiatric disorders.
* Section II, The Diagnostic Interview in Late Life, reviews the psychiatric interview and the use of the laboratory in the diagnostic workup of older adults.
* Section III, Psychiatric Disorders in Late Life, reviews schizophrenia; cognitive, mood, anxiety, bereavement/adjustment disorders, and somatoform and psychosexual disorders; sleep disturbances; and alcohol and drug problems.
* Section IV, Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in Late Life, reviews pharmacological treatment; diet, nutrition, and exercise; psychotherapy; clinical psychiatry in the nursing home and the movement from hospital- to community-based care.
Especially significant today, when clinicians must meet ever more stringent continuing education, certification, and licensing requirements, this study guide provides valuable assistance to ensure that their understanding of the many important areas in geriatric psychiatry is satisfactory. Medical students and instructors alike will also find this guide to be a thought-provoking addition to seminars on geriatric psychiatry, geriatric psychology, or the elderly as a special population.