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Behavioral and Cognitive Treatments for Geriatric Depression: An Evidence-Based Perspective

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Handbook of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies with Older Adults

Depressive disorders are common in late life and impact those who experience them on a number of levels. Although depressive disorders are among the most studied conditions in the older adult literature, their complex nature requires that continued research be conducted to determine the best methods to assess and treat them. The population of older persons is burgeoning, making it imperative that professionals become knowledgeable about the assessment and treatment of depressive disorders. This chapter provides an overview of the evidencebase for specific cognitive and behavioral treatments for late-life depression. Considerations for assessing depressive disorders in older adults as well as issues related to combination treatment (antidepressant medication + psychotherapy) are discussed. Suggestions for the provision of culturally competent treatment are covered as well. It is our hope that this chapter will both provide information for individuals seeking to provide evidence-based treatment to older adults as well as stimulate further research in this area.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    Kathryn S. Moss

  2. Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    Forrest R. Scogin

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  1. Kathryn S. Moss
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  2. Forrest R. Scogin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Stanford University, 94305-5717, Stanford, CA, USA

    Dolores Gallagher-Thompson Ph.D. ABPP

  2. University of Missouri-St. Louis, 63121, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Ann M. Steffen Ph.D

  3. Stanford University School of Medicine and Pacifi c Graduate School of Psychology, 94024, Los Atlos, CA, USA

    Larry W. Thompson Ph.D

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Moss, K.S., Scogin, F.R. (2008). Behavioral and Cognitive Treatments for Geriatric Depression: An Evidence-Based Perspective. In: Gallagher-Thompson, D., Steffen, A.M., Thompson, L.W. (eds) Handbook of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies with Older Adults. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-72007-4_1

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