33
Table 1. Psychotherapy vs. Psychosocial Treatment Modalities
Psychotherapy • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (individual preferred over group
therapy)
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Problem-Solving Therapy
• Social skills groups
Psychosocial
and other
interventions
• Activation (socialization, engagement in productive activity)
• Peer volunteer intervention with social worker (SW)
supervision
21
• Bereavement groups
• Exercise (aerobic and weight resistance training )
20
• Family counseling
• Light therapy
22
• Therapeutic recreation activity
• Participation in social events
• Bibliotherapy (creative arts therapy modality that involves
storytelling or the reading of specific texts with the purpose of
healing )
23
• Life-review
23
STEP 8: Prescribe Pharmacologic Treatment for Depression
When Appropriate
➤ SSRIs are advised as first line treatment for older adults provided no
contraindication. Lower doses are recommended for very old patients
and those with physical comorbidities.
➤ Venlafaxine may be preferred when melancholic features are
present.
20
➤ Duloxetine could be considered when chronic pain is also present.
➤ Mirtazapine is helpful in cases of agitated depression and where
sleep disturbance or weight loss is prominent.
