What is Functional Psychiatry for Geriatric Depression?

Depression is one of the most common mental health challenges faced by older adults, yet it is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or treated only with medications that may not address underlying causes. Traditional psychiatry can be helpful, but many older adults continue to struggle with symptoms that interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Functional Psychiatry offers a new way forward. By looking beyond symptoms, this approach seeks to identify and treat the root causes of geriatric depression, offering a more personalized and effective path to recovery.

What Makes Functional Psychiatry Different?

Unlike standard psychiatry, which often relies heavily on prescriptions, functional psychiatry takes a whole-person approach. For older adults, this means considering the unique biological, nutritional, hormonal, and psychosocial factors that can trigger or worsen late life depression.

Some of the most common root causes of depression in aging adults include:

• Nutrient deficiencies (Vitamin B12, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, zinc)
• Chronic inflammation and its impact on brain function
• Hormonal changes such as thyroid imbalance or low sex hormones
• Medication side effects from common prescriptions for blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep
• Cognitive decline or neurodegenerative conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Psychosocial stressors such as grief, loneliness, or loss of independence

By identifying these underlying drivers, clinicians trained in functional psychiatry can create targeted interventions that restore balance and improve quality of life.

Key Strategies in Functional Psychiatry for Older Adults with Depression

Functional psychiatry uses a blend of evidence-based medical and lifestyle tools, including:

• Laboratory testing to uncover hidden deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, or genetic vulnerabilities.
• Nutrition and supplementation to correct deficiencies and support brain health.
• Lifestyle interventions such as sleep optimization, movement, and stress reduction practices.
• Targeted nutraceuticals and natural therapies to reduce inflammation and support neurotransmitter balance.
• Collaborative care that integrates functional strategies with traditional psychiatric treatments when needed.

This personalized approach empowers older adults with depression to move beyond symptom management toward root-cause recovery.

Why Functional Psychiatry Matters for Geriatric Depression

Depression in later life is not an inevitable part of aging. When left untreated, it can accelerate cognitive decline, worsen physical health, and reduce longevity. But when clinicians use a functional approach, older adults often experience:

• Improved mood and energy
• Sharper cognitive function
• Reduced reliance on multiple medications
• Greater resilience and independence
• A renewed sense of purpose and quality of life

The Psychiatry Redefined Perspective

At Psychiatry Redefined, we train clinicians in functional and integrative psychiatry so they can better serve older adults struggling with depression. With over 30 years of clinical and research experience, our faculty — led by psychiatrist James Greenblatt, MD — provides evidence-based protocols for identifying and addressing the unique root causes of geriatric depression.

By combining compassionate care with cutting-edge science, functional psychiatry gives clinicians the tools to help older adults not only manage depression, but thrive.