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Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in the elderly

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Abstract

Anxiety is a significant problem among the elderly. Due to complexities in the medical management of elderly patients, researchers and clinicians have sought psychosocial alternatives to pharmacotherapy in order to treat anxiety in the elderly. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in particular has been investigated as a promising treatment. Research conducted to date has established that CBT produces significant improvement in anxiety symptoms among the elderly. However, there is some concern that CBT does not benefit elderly anxiety patients as much as it does younger patients. Investigators are seeking methods of augmenting or supplementing CBT in order to develop more effective treatments for anxiety in the elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, Box 427, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Ethan E. Gorenstein PhD

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  1. Ethan E. Gorenstein PhD
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  2. Laszlo A. Papp MD
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Correspondence to Ethan E. Gorenstein PhD.

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Gorenstein, E.E., Papp, L.A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in the elderly. Curr Psychiatry Rep 9, 20–25 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-007-0005-y

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