Looking into Later Life: A Psychoanalytic Approach to Depression and Dementia in Old Age

by Rachael Davenhill

Overview

This book belongs to a long tradition at the Tavistock Clinic of work focused on the mental and emotional well-being of the elderly. It applies psychoanalytic thinking to areas that have generally attracted very little sustained attention over the years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781855754478
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/05/2007
Series:	Tavistock Clinic Series
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	5.81(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)

About the Author

Rachael Davenhill is a psychotherapist specializing in the older patient at the Tavistock Clinic.

Table of Contents

Series Editor's Preface — Preface — Looking into Later Life — Introduction — Overview: Past and Present — Developments in psychoanalytic thinking and in therapeutic attitudes and services — Mainly Depression — The metapsychology of depression — Assessment — Individual psychotherapy — Couples psychotherapy: separateness or separation? An account of work with a couple entering later life — "Tragical–comical–historical–pastoral": groups and group therapy in the third age — The experience of an illness: the resurrection of an analysis in the work of recovery — Observation and Consultation — Psychodynamic observation and old age — Consultation at work — Where angels fear to tread: idealism, despondency, and inhibition in thought in hospital nursing — Mainly Dementia — Only connect—the links between early and later life — No truce with the furies: issues of containment in the provision of care for people with dementia and those who care for them — Facts, phenomenology, and psychoanalytic contributions to dementia care — The pink ribbon — Caring for a relative with dementia—who is the sufferer? — My unfaithful brain—a journey into Alzheimer’s Disease — Conveying the experience of Alzheimer’s Disease through art: the later paintings of William Utermohlen

Editorial Reviews

For far too long, ageing and the issues facing older people in later life were neglected by the psychoanalytic community. This landmark volume represents the culmination of efforts by Rachael Davenhill and her colleagues to put older people centre stage in psychoanalytic thought and practice It is a book full of the creativity, depth and wisdom that one would hope for from this approach. This is one of the few books on ageing to really do justice to the lived experiences of older people, and it will be a real source of inspiration, hope and learning for psychological therapists working with the increasing number of older people and their supporters.

Bob Woods

Looking Into Later Life offers a sensitive, thoughtful and accessible perspective on the experience of later life based on psychoanalytic concepts. Psychoanalytic ideas are brought to life through discussion, observation, case examples and personal accounts, providing a framework for their application in the care and treatment of older people and in supporting staff working in care settings. This book will be a valuable resource for those of any discipline of professional background working in old age care. It will also be of interest to psychotherapists and psychoanalysts working other people.

Dr. Linda Clare

Looking Into Later Life offers a sensitive, thoughtful and accessible perspective on the experience of later life based on psychoanalytic concepts. Psychoanalytic ideas are brought to life through discussion, observation, case examples and personal accounts, providing a framework for their application in the care and treatment of older people and in supporting staff working in care settings. This book will be a valuable resource for those of any discipline of professional background working in old age care. It will also be of interest to psychotherapists and psychoanalysts working other people.”

“For far too long, ageing and the issues facing older people in later life were neglected by the psychoanalytic community. This landmark volume represents the culmination of efforts by Rachael Davenhill and her colleagues to put older people centre stage in psychoanalytic thought and practice It is a book full of the creativity, depth and wisdom that one would hope for from this approach. This is one of the few books on ageing to really do justice to the lived experiences of older people, and it will be a real source of inspiration, hope and learning for psychological therapists working with the increasing number of older people and their supporters.

From the Publisher