The American Psychiatric Association Publishing Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry

This sixth edition has been extensively updated to include recent advances regarding the presentation, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of late-life psychiatric conditions. As its previous iterations, the book maintains a multidisciplinary and developmental perspective presenting the latest scientific and clinical developments in the field.

This reference text covers a broad range of topics over 26 chapters. The initial chapters review the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in older adults, physiological changes associated with aging, and the value of genomics in this population. Further chapters focus on evaluation, interviewing, laboratory workups, as well as assessment of cognitive disorders. Chapters go on to look at a wide range of psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders in the elderly. These chapters look at the epidemiology, presentation, neurobiological and psychological etiologies, as well as treatment approaches. There are several chapters devoted to comorbid conditions, and specific issues pertinent to this group as well as pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and interventional treatments. The final two chapters look at new technologies as well as ethical issues in treating the elderly.

This book is detailed, comprehensive, and up to date, serving to provide an understanding of the current state of research and provide clinical skills and a knowledge base for treating psychiatric conditions in the elderly.

This textbook is an excellent in-depth overview of geriatric psychiatry, written by many leaders in the field. It also provides a useful summary of the medical aspects of geriatric care that a general psychiatrist might not encounter in residency. Valuable clinical pearls are abundant throughout the text. For example, Chapter 5 describes the use of laboratory tests in the diagnostic work-up of older adults with psychiatric disorders. Chapter 14 is an especially strong chapter on sexuality in older adults, including how to assess the capacity to engage in a sexual relationship. Chapter 20 includes an exhaustive list of medications and considerations for their use in the geriatric population. Chapter 21 covers electroconvulsive therapy in extensive detail, including the required medical evaluation and monitoring for adverse events. Chapter 22 discusses how to ascertain whether a patient might benefit from various psychotherapies. We found the tips for interacting with older adults and their families to be especially helpful, as well as how to determine the capacity of an older adult to live alone (Chapter 23). Chapter 25 contains an overview of recent developments with respect to technology use in psychiatry, even more relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, many chapters include DSM-5-TR criteria, which will be helpful for learners.

David C. Steffens, M.D., M.H.S., is Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut.

Kristina F. Zdanys, M.D., is Chief of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program at UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut.

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