http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article en-us N/A admin@therapist-psychologist.com Fri, 16 May 2008 22:27:29 PDT 20 false false false clean http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/67/1/Caring-for-our-Loved-Ones--Depression-in-the-Elderly/Page1.html Treating Depression in the Elderly
Beth S. Patterson, MA

Contrary to popular belief, depression is not a "normal" part of the aging process, but a treatable mental health condition. Symptoms of depression include feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, isolation and unrealistically negative beliefs about oneself. These feelings not only affect the depressed person, but also their family members and loved ones.

Depression is unlikely to go away by itself, and the guidance of a professional counselor, in addition to a physician, is often warranted. In fact, psychotherapy has been found to very likely help the depressed senior live a happier, more fulfilling life and decrease the risk of suicide.

There are a number of things a loved one or caregiver can do to help alleviate a depressed senior's depression.

These include:
* Making sure the depressed person sleeps and eats
regularly.
* Reinforce rewarding experiences and activities
* Explore spiritual/religious beliefs as a source of
    personal comfort and support
* Allow the depressed person to tell his or her story
   through techniques such as guided journaling, letter
   writing, autobiography or collage.

A counselor or psychotherapist trained in narrative therapy can be particularly helpful for helping seniors find meaning and a sense of integrity and ease their feelings of depression.

Narrative therapy is particularly helpful in helping depressed clients reconcile the inevitable losses incurred over a lifetime and find meaning in those losses in the context of their lives through the telling of the story of their lives. The role of the narrative therapist is to bear witness to the complexity and rich nuances of the evolving story and collaborate with the client in to make sense of his or her losses and find healing and growth through the process of reconciling those losses and acknowledging the contributions they have made in their lives.

Call or e-mail Beth Patterson at 303-817-8571 or bethpatt@mac.com

]]> no@spam.com (Beth Patterson) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/67/1/Caring-for-our-Loved-Ones--Depression-in-the-Elderly/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/61/1/A-Glimpse-Into-Dr-Gross-Marriage-Counseling-and-Communication-Program/Page1.html Decrease Negative interactions with your partner by enabling both of you to:
   1. Avoid Misunderstandings, Fights and Emotional Distance
   2. Disagree, Yet Argue Respectfully and Constructively
   3. Know When and How to Talk, and When and How to Listen
   4. Resolve Problems Through Discussion
   5. Engage in Frank Discussions in Which Each of You a) Reveals to Your Partner Your Agenda of Needs,Wishes, and Expectations and b) Develops a Clear Understanding of How to Fulfill This Agenda to Your Partner's Satisfaction
   6. Share Your Life With Your Spouse in Love, Companionship and Bonding
]]> no@spam.com (Reuben Gross) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/61/1/A-Glimpse-Into-Dr-Gross-Marriage-Counseling-and-Communication-Program/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/60/1/The-Difference-Between-Talking-and-Communicating/Page1.html no@spam.com (Reuben Gross) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/60/1/The-Difference-Between-Talking-and-Communicating/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/55/1/The-Conjunctive-Model-of-Psychotherapy/Page1.html no@spam.com (Steven Frankel M.D.) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/55/1/The-Conjunctive-Model-of-Psychotherapy/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/53/1/Assertiveness-Is-More-Than-Learning-Skills/Page1.html   If we think such antagonistic behavior defines assertiveness, it is no wonder that so many of us prefer to remain silent. Rather than being perceived as selfish, overbearing or unreasonable, we keep our opinions to ourselves. We are reluctant to tell people when we have a schedule conflict. We hesitate to voice our preference for a movie we want to see or a restaurant we want to visit.  We fail to tell people when they delight us and we fail to tell them when they have overlooked or offended us. Our relationships, therefore, stay distant or lukewarm and we feel not only overlooked and offended, but probably resentful or angry.  Although we feel frustrated and misunderstood, we blame ourselves for not being assertive and internally berate ourselves for not standing up for our values or wants.  We want to be more assertive, but we fear being selfish bullies.]]> no@spam.com (Mary DuParri) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/53/1/Assertiveness-Is-More-Than-Learning-Skills/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/49/1/SHOULD-I-JOIN-A-THERAPY-GROUP/Page1.html How does group differ from individual psychotherapy?
Is group for me?
What are the rules in group?
What else should I know before joining a group?]]> no@spam.com (Eric Loeb) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/49/1/SHOULD-I-JOIN-A-THERAPY-GROUP/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/39/1/5-Ways-to-Spring-Clean-Your-Soul/Page1.html no@spam.com (Stacey Glaesmann) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/39/1/5-Ways-to-Spring-Clean-Your-Soul/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/38/1/5-Ways-to-Light-up-Your-Life/Page1.html no@spam.com (Stacey Glaesmann) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/38/1/5-Ways-to-Light-up-Your-Life/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/37/1/Parts-of-Self-Are-Really-Trying-to-Help/Page1.html no@spam.com (Mary DuParri) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/37/1/Parts-of-Self-Are-Really-Trying-to-Help/Page1.html http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/35/1/10-Ways-to-Romance-YourSelf/Page1.html no@spam.com (Stacey Glaesmann) http://www.therapist-psychologist.com/psychology_article/articles/35/1/10-Ways-to-Romance-YourSelf/Page1.html