Gerontopsychiatric consultation-liaison psychiatry

Especially in the elderly, physical diseases are often accompanied by psychological symptoms and behavioral disorders. As well, presentation as a physical disorder may mimic a hidden psychiatric disorder. Gerontopsychiatric consultation-liaison psychiatry is the venue where psychiatrists and psychotherapists help in improving detection and treatment of such comorbidity. This article deals with the definition of gerontopsychiatric consultation-liaison psychiatry as a subspecialty in consultation-liaison psychiatry, and with its distinct features in the everyday work in general hospitals. Special focus is put on the special issues in gerontopsychiatric consultation-liaison psychiatry such as high rate of somato-psychiatric comorbidity, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, drug interaction, psycho-social isolation and high risk of sociality of the elderly. The article discusses problems, issues and chances of the development of gerontopsychiatric consultation-liaison psychiatry in general hospitals.