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Published on: January 24, 2020
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in the elderly
Ethan E Gorenstein1, Laszlo A Papp
1Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. eeg1@columbia.edu
Current Psychiatry Reports
|January 30, 2007
Summary
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively reduces anxiety in older adults. Further research is exploring ways to enhance CBT for even better outcomes in elderly anxiety patients.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Anxiety is a prevalent issue in the elderly population.
- Pharmacotherapy poses challenges in older adults, necessitating alternative treatments.
- Psychosocial interventions are being explored for geriatric anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety in the elderly.
- To identify limitations of CBT in older adults compared to younger populations.
- To explore strategies for augmenting CBT to improve treatment efficacy in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on CBT for anxiety in older adults.
- Analysis of comparative effectiveness of CBT across different age groups.
- Identification of emerging augmentation strategies for CBT.
Main Results:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) demonstrates significant improvement in anxiety symptoms among the elderly.
- Evidence suggests CBT may be less effective in older adults than in younger individuals.
- Augmentation strategies are under investigation to enhance CBT outcomes.
Conclusions:
- CBT is a valuable, evidence-based treatment for anxiety in older adults.
- Further research is needed to optimize CBT for the elderly population.
- Developing enhanced CBT protocols is crucial for improving geriatric mental health care.
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