www.latelifedepression.org
The Late-Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center is commissioned by the government (through the National Institute of Mental Health) to improve the current understanding and treatment of mood disorders in older adults. With that goal in mind, the Center is dedicated to studying the development of effective treatment interventions in depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and bereavement.
An experienced team of psychiatrists, psychologists,
nurses, and social workers staff the Center (click here to read
about members of the team). Areas of specialization include clinical and
psychosocial assessment, treatment with psychotherapy and/or medication,
functional brain imaging, and neuropsychological testing.
Reasons to contact the Late Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment center:
- If you are interested in seeking treatment for depression, bipolar disorder (manic-depression), insomnia, or grief
- If you are interested in getting an evaluation or second opinion about your treatment
- If you are interested in being a control subject in some of our research studies
- If you are interested in getting a speaker to provide education to your organization
How to contact the Late Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center:
To make an appointment at the Center, call 412-246-6006 between the hours of 9AM and 4:30PM. You do not need a physician referral. While we prefer to speak with the individual who is in need of treatment, a family member or friend may call on the person’s behalf.
What to expect
Your first appointment will be about 2 to 3 hours. During this appointment, you will meet with one of our clinicians and a doctor.
What kind of questions will be asked at the first appointment?
They will ask you questions about how you have been feeling, both emotionally and physically. They will also want to know if you experienced similar symptoms at other times in your life. They will want to know what medical problems you have and what medication you are currently taking. It always helps if you would bring all medication you are currently taking to this first appointment. The purpose of this appointment is to determine what illness you may be suffering from and what treatment may help you to feel better.
How will I found out about treatment studies at the center?
During the first appointment, the doctor will explain our treatment research studies to you. If you are interested in participating in one of our research studies, the doctor will explain the study in detail to you and ask that you sign a consent form. The consent form explains what the study is about. It explains why the study is being done, what procedures are involved in the study, the risks and benefits of being in the study, and if there are any costs involved in the study. By signing the consent form, you are saying that you agree to be in the research study. To read more about some of the research studies currently being done in the Center, click on one of the buttons at the top right.
What if I enter a treatment study?
If you are interested in being in a research study, we will schedule a second appointment for you. This appointment will be for a physical exam and some lab work and an EKG.
The goal of the appointment is to see if there might be a medical reason for you to be feeling ill. Sometimes medical problems make people feel depressed or anxious or cause them to have trouble with their sleep. If we find that this is true for you, then we will recommend that your medical doctor treat your physical problem first. After that, you may feel much better and not need our services any more. If your lab work, EKG, and physical exam are normal, you will begin treatment in one of our research studies.
Click Here to Read about Treatment Studies at Our Center:
Brain Donation Research Program