Understanding Geriatric Psychiatry & Dementia
Ageing brings its own mental health needs: memory decline, dementia, late-life depression, loneliness and confusion after illness or surgery. Families often dismiss these as normal old age. Proper assessment can slow decline, treat reversible causes and greatly improve quality of life for both patient and caregiver.
Some causes of memory loss are reversible — thyroid disease, B12 deficiency, depression, medication side effects. That is why assessment always begins with investigations rather than an assumption of dementia.
Signs that are worth taking seriously
- Progressive memory loss
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Repeating the same questions
- Difficulty managing money or medicines
- Personality or behaviour change
- Night-time confusion or wandering
- Late-life depression or apathy
- Suspiciousness towards family
When it is time to see a psychiatrist
Not every low patch needs a doctor. These are the points at which a clinical opinion genuinely helps rather than waiting longer:
- Memory loss that interferes with daily tasks, not just forgetting names
- Getting lost on familiar routes
- New suspiciousness, accusations or personality change in an older person
- Depression, poor appetite or withdrawal after retirement or bereavement
How this is treated at the chamber
Evaluation includes cognitive testing and screening for reversible causes such as B12 deficiency, thyroid disease and depression. Management covers cognition-enhancing medication, careful treatment of behavioural symptoms, fall and delirium prevention, home-safety planning, and dedicated caregiver support and counselling.
What happens at the first visit
A full history, unhurried
What has been happening, for how long, and how it is affecting sleep, work, studies and family. Relatives can join if you want them to.
Examination and tests where needed
Thyroid, vitamin B12, sugar and other basic investigations are ordered when they could be contributing. Physical causes are ruled out before anything else.
The diagnosis, explained plainly
You are told what the condition is, what it is not, and why. No jargon and no vague reassurance.
A plan you have agreed to
Medication where it is needed, at the lowest dose that will work, plus counselling and follow-up dates. Cost is discussed openly.