This essential guide is designed for mental health practitioners and primary care providers without advanced training in geriatric psychiatry.

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This essential guide is designed for mental health practitioners and primary care providers without advanced training in geriatric psychiatry. Gary J. Kennedy sets forth a clear framework for understanding the interplay of medical, psychological, and social factors in frequently encountered problems among older adults. Clear guidelines are delineated for assessing and treating such conditions as depression and anxiety, dementia, psychosis and mania, sleep disturbances, personality and somatoform disorders, substance abuse, and suicidality. Throughout, the book focuses on ways to sustain seniors' independence and overall quality of life while enhancing their adaptive capacities.

"At once focused and comprehensive, chapters provide concise overviews of the main areas of geriatric psychiatry such as late-life depression as well as useful reference material. Perhaps the greatest strengths of the book, however, lie in its coverage of lesser-understood topics such as elder abuse/neglect and personality disorders."
-Dan Blazer, MD, PhD, Duke University Medical Center

347 Pages, 6 x 9

1. Introduction to the Geriatric Imperative

2. Depression and Anxiety

3. The Dementias

4. Psychosis and Mania

5. Sleep Disturbances

6. Personality, Somatoform, and Pain Disorders

7. Individual Psychotherapies for Older Adults

8. Adapting Principles of Marital, Group, and Family Therapy to the Needs of Older Patients

9. Sexuality

10. Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Self-Injurious Behaviors

11. Alcohol and Substance Abuse

12. Recognition and Reduction of Suicide Risk

13. Mental Health Consultation in the General Hospital, Home, or Nursing Facility

14. Legal and Ethical Issues

15. Advice on Exercise and Nutrition