Psychological Intervention: Depression, Essay Example

Case Background

The person involved in the case being resolved is a 70 year old mother and grandparent of the family. Living on her own in the family’s ancestral home, she has been observed to have presented symptoms of depression. Her grandchildren reported that whenever they come to visit, she often keeps herself quiet unlike what she was before; they say that her quirky character have already gone and she is easily irritated lately. However, when her children come visit, she is most often than not hyper active wanting to hear stories from them and listen to their stories as well. Eager to hear some updates about them and their families as well as their whereabouts, she often frowns when she already needs to stand up and go to the kitchen to prepare the family’s food [this activity used to be the highlight of every visit, however, she seemingly lost interest in it gradually up the current times].

Suggested intervention

Considering her age, it could be accepted that the changes in her behavior may have a distinct connection with her being old. She is naturally expected to gradually change her attitude and her behavior towards the people surrounds her including those she loves. Being alone in the ancestral house basically brings back memory that may contribute to her loneliness. It could not be denied though that when it comes to determining the most common trend of transformation that she might be going through, it is important to note that the capacity of the children to adjust along with her is necessary

Making visitation schedule more often is a necessary consideration to give attention to. This will lessen the longing she has developed through time making it easier for her to feel at ease with her house again. Bringing her to the house of her children for visitation in the city would also be helpful in the process; although such visitations need not be long. A sudden change in her environment might increase the point of anxiety in her which could later on contribute to her depression.

Rationale of Intervention

People, as they grow older, want to feel at ease, more comfortable with their surroundings, especially the ones that bring them into a sense of going back to the old times and reliving the good years of their lives. Giving attention to such desire is an important aspect of the matter; giving them the chance to actually be involved in the possibility of improving their moods through setting their emotions and their points of anxieties in balance is an important part of the process of helping old individuals to get past through the depression that might be brought about by biological, physical and psychological changes they are going through.

Reference

Baker, David B. (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of the History of Psychology. Oxford University Press (Oxford Library of Psychology), 2012.