Module 4: Thinking Tools

Treating Late Life Depression ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780195383706.003.0004 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 59-100

Author(s):

Larry W. Thompson ◽

Leah Dick-Siskin ◽

David W. Coon ◽

David V. Powers ◽

Dolores Gallagher-Thompson

Keyword(s):

Late Life ◽

Core Beliefs ◽

Life Stages ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Thought Patterns ◽

Thinking Tools

This chapter outlines thought tools to help with CBT for late-life depression, including identifying unhelpful thoughts, keeping an unhelpful thought diary (UTD), rating the strength of unhelpful thoughts, the strength of emotions, unhelpful thought patterns, and how to identify them. It also explores challenging unhelpful thoughts, overthinking, thought stopping, and setting aside time to worry, as well as core beliefs, unhelpful core beliefs, core beliefs associated with life stages, and techniques for changes core beliefs.

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Module 4: Thinking Tools

Treating Late Life Depression ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780195383690.003.0007 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 117-152

Author(s):

Dolores Gallagher-Thompson ◽

Larry W. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Late Life ◽

Core Beliefs ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Negative Thoughts ◽

Thinking Tools

This chapter describes the fourth module of CBT for late-life depression, which explores thinking tools. The first section focuses on teaching clients to identify unhelpful thoughts using a thought diary. Clients then practice challenging unhelpful thoughts and using an expanded 6-column unhelpful thought diary (UTD). Some clients may need to address underlying core beliefs or “schemas” in order to effectively challenge negative thoughts. A section on overthinking is also included for clients who have problems with excessive worrying.

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Refining Evidence-Based Treatments for Late-Life Depression

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000127 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 67-76

Author(s):

Grace C. Niu ◽

Patricia A. Arean

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Late Life ◽

Aging Population ◽

The United States ◽

Future Research ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Evidence Based Treatments

The recent increase in the aging population, specifically in the United States, has raised concerns regarding treatment for mental illness among older adults. Late-life depression (LLD) is a complex condition that has become widespread among the aging population. Despite the availability of behavioral interventions and psychotherapies, few depressed older adults actually receive treatment. In this paper we review the research on refining treatments for LLD. We first identify evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for LLD and the problems associated with efficacy and dissemination, then review approaches to conceptualizing mental illness, specifically concepts related to brain plasticity and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoc). Finally, we introduce ENGAGE as a streamlined treatment for LLD and discuss implications for future research.

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