Antidepressants and Alzheimer’s Disease: Effective for Depression or Cognitive Decline?

Depressive symptoms are commonly seen in Alzheimer’s disease and are difficult to successfully treat, because it is challenging to distinguish those of clinical depression and those of cognitive deterioration. Both conditions have many overlapping symptoms. According to many experts, while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the best option to treat depression, they appear to be less effective in those with Alzheimer’s.



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Dr. Jim Collins is a Gerontologist and nationally-recognized expert in wellness and health care for seniors and older Americans. Over his 30-year career Dr. Collins has always had a strong focus on education – both as a prolific speaker, author of published articles, newsletters and the first book about person-centered care for seniors entitled "The Person-Centered Way: Revolutionizing Quality of Life in Long Term Care".

Dr. Collins decided to take his passion for speaking and teaching to a national audience through his company CEU Academy, an online provider of continuing education for licensed healthcare professionals. With its extensive and ever-developing library, Dr. Collins and his dedicated staff bring impactful and timely information to tens of thousands of healthcare professionals in states throughout the country with this online system.

[jareddaniel]

Ummm could it be the antidepressants are causing cognitive issues?

[beckyweaver]

So antidepressants don’t work for people that have dementia/Alzheimer’s. Well - I’ll take myself out before I get that diagnosis.