Introduction
Depression is common in the older individuals these days.
It is not a disease condition that is associated with the increasing age.
In Canada, there are about 10-15% older adults, who are suffering from depression (Bélanger et al., 2016).
Concept of Geriatric Depression
Geriatric depression can be described as a depressive condition that is associated with the old age.
Symptoms:
Overwhelming sadness;
Insomnia;
Withdrawal;
Thoughts of Suicide (Morimoto et al., 2014).
Concept of Last Stage of Life
Old age is also known as the last stage of life.
There are various changes experienced by the people at this stage of life (Vroman, Arthanat & Lysack, 2015).
Physical;
Emotional;
Social;
The risk of death is high at this stage of life.
Concept of Risks from Depression at Old Age
Causes of Geriatric Depression
Research Question
How effective is cognitive behavioural theory in treating geriatric depression?
Answering the Research Question
It has been found from a study that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is effective in 67% of the patients (Thompson et al., 2015).
A study by Kok & Reynolds also found the cognitive behavioural therapy to treat depression in the older adults (Kok & Reynolds, 2017)
A pilot study conducted on different adult groups also found the CBT as an effective therapy for treating depression (Khatri, Marziali, Tchernikov & Shepherd, 2014).
Conclusion
The geriatric depression involves symptoms like withdrawal, feelings of worthlessness, thoughts of suicide, lack of sleep and various others.
The causes of geriatric depression involves various transition like health transition, financial transition and various others.
The cognitive behavioural therapy is effective in treating geriatric depression.
References
Barrera, I., & Spiegel, D. (2014). Review of psychotherapeutic interventions on depression in cancer patients and their impact on disease progression. International review of psychiatry, 26(1), 31-43. https://doi.org/10.3109/09540261.2013.864259
Bélanger, E., Ahmed, T., Vafaei, A., Curcio, C. L., Phillips, S. P., & Zunzunegui, M. V. (2016). Sources of social support associated with health and quality of life: a cross-sectional study among Canadian and Latin American older adults. BMJ open, 6(6), e011503. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/6/e011503?utm_content=consumer&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=trendmd&utm_term=1-A&utm_campaign=bmjo
Khatri, N., Marziali, E., Tchernikov, I., & Shepherd, N. (2014). Comparing telehealth-based and clinic-based group cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with depression and anxiety: a pilot study. Clinical interventions in aging, 9, 765.doi: 10.2147/CIA.S57832
Kok, R. M., & Reynolds, C. F. (2017). Management of depression in older adults: a review. Jama, 317(20), 2114-2122. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.5706
Morimoto, S. S., Wexler, B. E., Liu, J., Hu, W., Seirup, J., & Alexopoulos, G. S. (2014). Neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive remediation for treatment-resistant geriatric depression. Nature communications, 5(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2014.08.014
Padayachey, U., Ramlall, S., & Chipps, J. (2017). Depression in older adults: prevalence and risk factors in a primary health care sample. South African family practice, 59(2), 61-66. DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.1272250
