interventions for reduction of comorbid emotional disorders

Last reviewed 08/2023

Interventions for comorbid emotional disorders in people with dementia

People with dementia and concomitant depression or anxiety the following can be offered:

• psychological interventions
• can be used in patients with dementia and depression or anxiety
• cognitive behavioural therapy which may include the participation of the carers
• additionally the following tailored interventions should be available to a patient:
  • reminiscence therapy
  • multisensory stimulation
  • animal assisted therapy
  • exercise
• antidepressant drugs
  • can be offered to people with dementia and a major depressive disorder
  • staff with specialist training should initiate treatment o antidepressants with anticholinergics should be avoided (it may adversely effect cognition)

Reference:

• 1. National Collaborating center for mental health 2007: Dementia: A NICE-SCIE guideline on supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care