A BRIEF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY GROUP FOR THE ELDERLY - WHO BENEFITS

This study looks at the efficacy of brief focused cognitive-behavioura l group intervention in the treatment of mood disorders in older adult s in different diagnostic groups. At 1-year follow-up, out of a total of 27 patients, 70% required no input from the mental health services and also reported that they were 'recovered' and functioning well. Whe n separated into two groups according to the diagnoses on DSM-III-R, 9 2% of the major depressive episode (MDE) group in contrast to 50% of t he other disorders group were discharged and functioning well. This su ggests that selection of patients using the DSM-III-R diagnostic metho d has helped to identify which depressed elderly people benefit most. A tentative link between personality difficulties is proposed as a pos sible obstacle to therapy.