Citation

Lutz J, Mashal N, Kramer A, Suresh M, Gould C, Jordan JT, Wetherell JL, Beaudreau SA. Clin. Gerontol. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-8.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07317115.2019.1617378

PMID

31131742

Abstract

Objectives: Suicide is a global public health problem among older adults. Problem-solving therapy (PST) has demonstrated promise in reducing late-life suicide risk, chiefly in secondary analyses of studies on late-life depression. PST mitigates negative beliefs about one's problem-solving abilities and maladaptive problem-solving styles, which suicidal older adults report. The effects of PST on suicide risk in older adults with primary anxiety disorder diagnoses have not been examined. Anxiety is a risk factor for suicide, but it is less studied in research on suicide compared to depression. This paper describes two cases of older individuals with anxiety disorders and suicidal ideation who completed six sessions of PST. Methods: Assessments of suicide risk, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and problem-solving ability were administered. Results: Both cases exhibited a clinically significant reduction in suicide risk, along with reductions in anxiety, worry, and depressive symptoms by posttreatment. Conclusions & Clinical Implications: Findings highlight the potential for PST as a psychotherapeutic intervention for reducing suicide risk in older adults with anxiety disorders.

Language: en

Keywords

Generalized anxiety disorder; cognitive behavioral therapy; depression; geriatric; suicidal ideation; worry