Depression is not limited to younger people and it is also very common in the elderly however, often unrecognized and non-treated. Depression in the elderly is not a normal symptom of old age but should and can be treated.
Success of antidepressant pharmacological treatment and psychotherapy in old depressed patients is well known.
Individual problems and symptoms are treated in a small group. Together with other depressive elderly coping strategies to overcome depressive symptoms are developed.
In 16 group sessions we focus on the following contents:
Screening visit and psychoeducation
Development of depression, individual stressors and social impacts, individual goals and treatment options.
Top 1: Activities
Correlation between mood and activity: We focus on reactivation of former interests and daily activities.
Top 2: Aging
Discussion of loss of family/ friends, physical complaints and impairment, loneliness on the one hand and possible benefits of older age on the other hand.
Top 3: Cognitions
Impact of cognitions on mood and reappraisal of coping strategies.
Top 4: social life
Importance of social contacts and social skill training.
Final discussion
How to avoid relapses?
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