Geriatric Psychopathology — Internal or External?*

Abstract

The major psychiatric illness is depression. In the elderly this may be precipitated by internal psychic problems, but external complications can be added by ineffectual attempts to help by inadequately trained health professionals. The low utilization of psychiatric services by the aged may be explained on the basis of the attitudes of both patients and clinicians. Three main factors determine the patient's decision to consult a physician. The patient must recognize that: 1) a psychiatric disturbance is present, 2) that this disturbance is alien, and 3) that help is available. When such services are offered, the elderly will recognize their need for them. Two specific areas of clinical practice with geriatric patients are stressed; these involve drug problems and sexual problems. When stereotyped attitudes are replaced by attention to the underlying pathology, and treatment goals are formulated in the context of good psychiatric practice, the elderly will profit by psychiatric therapy and have a better life in their remaining days. The rates of success in treatment are just as high as with younger patients.The emotional disturbances to which our population is heir, are not limited to people

Individual Psychotherapy with the Depressed Elderly Outpatient: An Overview

“…A year later, Feigenbaum (12) stated that the elderly did not seem more prone to different experiential states than did younger persons. The differentiation was dependent upon developmental affect in the elderly.…”

Psychotherapy with the elderly.

“…If changing the environment is hopeless, this fact will effect the patient's hope for change. Faigenbaum (1974) discusses how the general perception of old age as a difficult period can effect the motivation of the elderly. Motivation for change can be reduced simply by perceiving such distress as unavoidable.…”