This book does not completely meet its worthy goal of providing a practical approach for all members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the care of older people. Most of the authors work in English old-age psychiatry, a definite limitation for Australian readers.

Coverage of the pharmacological treatment of depression and bipolar disorders is strong, as is that of electro convulsive therapy; however, other non-pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorders is disappointingly cursory. The chapter on psychotherapy only approaches straightforward depression in old age and does not discuss bipolar depression, depression in physical illness or in dementia. It could easily have been expanded and a psychologist’s view on assessment added.

My main criticism relates to editing. The area of physical illness and depression is important, but need not be covered three times. Antidepressants would be better dealt with once, rather than twice. Some chapters stray from the practical to more extended literature reviews. Although the relationship between cardiovascular illness and depression (for example) is fascinating and still unfortunately obscure, the practical ramifications at this stage are limited. One chapter concludes depression in the older person has a good prognosis, another a poor prognosis. One chapter says β-blockers are a significant cause of depression, another questions this. The nursing chapter is largely about schizophrenia and psychosis care. The discussion of the relationship between religion/spirituality and mental health is overlong and has an American focus. A chapter on drug trial methodology is out of context.

Space freed up by tighter editing could be used for other worthy topics not covered well in relation to depression (such as anxiety, alcohol, deliberate self-harm and suicide).

This book sets itself an important challenge, as the practical care of depression and mania in older people is taking up increasing resources. This is not an area well covered in many texts or Internet-based resources. Practical management of affective disorders in older people succeeds in some areas but disappoints in others. I will consult three or four of its chapters regularly, refer multidisciplinary team members to others and anticipate an improved second edition.