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Psychotherapy of an older adult with an avoidant personality disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2010

S. P. J. van Alphen
S. P. J. van Alphen*
Affiliation:
Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Hospital, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. S.P.J. (Bas) van Alphen, PhD, Psychologist at Mondriaan Hospital, Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Heerlen-Maastricht, the Netherlands. Phone: +31 45 5736363; Fax: +31 45 5736400. Email: spj.vanalphen@planet.nl.
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Abstract

This case describes the differential diagnosis and treatment of a 70-year-old man with an avoidant personality disorder. It illustrates that diagnostic assessment and treatment of personality problems in the elderly are possible in mental health care. It demonstrates that multiple stand-alone treatment modules can form part of a single course of adaptation-focused treatment of personality disorders. An interpersonal approach forms an important basis for tackling the typical interpersonal difficulties that occur in axis-II disorders.

Keywords

personality disordersolder adultsdiagnosispsychotherapy
Type
Case Report
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 4 , May 2011 , pp. 662 - 665
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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