ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews organic and psychosocial causal factors for emotional changes among geriatric patients. It discusses some of the psychiatric symptoms may be due to the degeneration of brain tissue. The incidence of diagnosis of psychiatric disorders among elderly people is high and of various etiology. There are changes in general health, status, lifestyle, and social support that are commonly associated with emotional disorders. The neurological disorder most often associated with concomitant depression is Parkinson’s disease. The neurologically deteriorating adult often has to face dramatic changes in leisure and social activities that would present significant adaptation challenges to anyone. Adult children unaware of the patient’s deterioration may become critical of the patient who is failing to perform up to their expectations, reducing the amount and quality of time spent with the parent. Among the older adults with neurological disorders there are also changes in the function of neurotransmitters and deterioration of brain tissue associated with mood, anxiety, and behavior disorders.
