Elderly patient face many Geriatric Mental Health issues, which primarily stem from risk factors like loneliness, social isolation, multiple diseases, elder abuse, financial dependence and neuro-degeneration. These include-
- Depressive Disorders (including severe forms of depression)
- Anxiety, distress and fears disorders
- Delusional syndromes
- Dementia ( memory,speech,behaviour)
- Alcohol use and suicidal tendency
Before a geriatric medicine physician trained in geriatric mental health starts these patients on adjusting doses of antidepressants and other psychiatric medications, various forms of psychotherapy can be tried for upto 3-6 months before elderly patient is subjected to potentially side-effect causing medicines. Your geriatrician can choose from a myriad of psychotherapies which have shown to be effective in elderly patients, in whom mostly depressive and other mental health issues are often difficult and resistant to multiple lines of treatment. These include-
- Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Training and Analytics
- Relaxation techniques , and Mindfullness
- Motivational Counselling and Positivity
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Reminiscence Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Based on the elderly’s patients’ personalised needs after assessment by geriatrician, based on the severity of mental health issue and convenience of patient, an appropriate type of psychotherapy is chosen and applied to the elderly patient via a telephonic consultation, and appropriate frequency of counselling is prescribed for long lasting benefits.
To book a Psychotherapy Counselling session for Geriatric Mental Health issue, click this link
( Charges:- Rs 2000 for 30 min session )