Older adults with character:‘Towards treatment in later life’

1 in 10 older people suffers from a personality disorder. We all have behavioral patterns that we carry with us from our past. These patterns have often helped us. However, when these patterns become persistent and counteractive, we speak of dysfunctional patterns, or personality disorders. Half of the people with affective disorders (anxiety and depression) have a personality disorder. Personality disorders also have a high burden of disease in the elderly, but are often insufficiently identified and treated in mental health care. Older adults are primarily referred for their affective disorders. In this research we saw that when disorder-oriented treatments do not solve these affective disorders, you should look if there are any entertaining dysfunctional patterns present and treat them accordingly. In addition, the new model looking at personality diagnosis seems to be much more suitable for older adults, given the strong relationship we found with regard to overall mental well-being. Treatment of personality disorders has long been considered impossible, especially in older adults. In the light of the above consequences, we have set up a schema group therapy with psychomotor therapy specifically for older adults suffering from (comorboid) personality disorders. Our research shows that psychotherapy for personality problems, including intensive day treatment programs, outpatient group therapy, as well as online treatment for older adults are feasible and effective