[Cognitive behavior therapy with depressed elderly patients: initial experiences and results]

Our understanding of depression in old age focuses on a) restrictions and changes in living conditions, in social and somatic functions, in social contacts; b) real or perceived lack of control over those changes; c) rigid, absolute, negative expectations and assumptions; d) deficits in alternative behavior. A group program for treatment of depressed older patients based on those elements is described and first results of pilot studies are presented. These findings are quite promising and congruent with the few available Anglo-American studies. Despite the results, we are still far from being able to give empirically supported advice on how to efficiently treat depressed older patients. Further controlled investigation is necessary, including larger samples, multiple assessments, and well-designed pharmacological and psychological control conditions.