Psychotherapy with Older Men

by Tammi Vacha-Haase; Stephen R. Wester; Heidi Fowell Christianson

• ISBN13: 9780203881651
• ISBN10: 0203881656
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2011-01-19
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

Society imposes a strict masculinity construct on boys and men, dictating how they are expected to behave as a "real man," including the idea that they should not display weakness through mental and emotional issues. As men age, however, it becomes increasingly difficult and even impossible for them to fulfill this role due to the limitations that aging imposes; thus, elderly men may feel ashamed of their seeming inability to cope with these changes while maintaining their traditional male identities, especially regarding physical and mental illness. This book intends to highlight the resulting social stigma older men experience by exploring the context of their lives, the challenges they face, and the clinical process of helping them in counseling and psychotherapy.Vacha-Haase, Wester, and Christianson present the newest research findings for the clinical treatment of older men. They begin with a discussion to help the reader understand the older man in the context of society, gender, and aging. The next part of the book focuses on the psychological issues that are common areas of difficulty for older men, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, with a specific focus on symptoms, conception, and best-practice interventions for specific clinical challenges. Each chapter begins with a case example, providing a description and personal context for the reader, and includes a description of the disorder, common symptoms, assessment techniques, and treatment approaches. Finally, future directions for the treatment of the older male population are discussed. With the population of men above the age of 65 rapidly increasing, this is a timely book that is sure to be a highly useful resource for the mental health practitioner.