Treatment of Clinical Depression in Caregivers of Spouses With Dementia

Abstract

Anticipatory grief and clinical depression are common reactions in spousal caregivers of demented individuals. A novel method of treatment is offered in which grief counseling is combined with more traditional cognitive behavioral therapy based on the theoretical and clinical work of both Beck and Lewinsohn. This combined therapeutic approach is discussed in light of a prospective individual case study. Significant clinical improvement was noted in objective measures of depression across 17 sessions of individual therapy and at termination. The specific techniques used to promote change are identified along with the conceptual framework integrating cognitive behavioral therapy and grief counseling. This method may be particularly useful in light of the current need to maximize clinical improvement within the constraints of cost containment.