Depression is one of the commonest problems in old age. Yet until recently, old people were systematically exduded from participating in drug trials and similar investigations. As a result, knowledge regarding incidence, natural history and management of depression in the elderly are somewhat limited. It is now well-established that old people are sensitive to most psychotropic drugs and they tend to suffer from adverse effects and side effects of antidepressant drugs more frequently than any other age group. These are considered to be due to age-related physiological changes. In addition,...