Grief and bereavement are a universal part of the human experience. The impact of grief on human lives is increasingly evident as the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental disasters, and—in the United States in particular—gun-related violence upend normal life and expose vast swaths of society to recurring and profound trauma. It was only in 2022, with the publication of DSM-5-TR and in the context of considerable scientific progress, that prolonged grief disorder (PGD) was included as a formal diagnosis, one also reflected in ICD-11. Now, this new handbook provides both clinical and non-clinical readers with a science-based approach to identifying and addressing PGD, along with what might be termed "normal" grief. In extensively referenced chapters filled with illustrative case studies, this guide examines topics such as • What constitutes bereavement • How "simple" bereavement differs from PGD and how to manage them clinically • Grief in children and the importance of a life cycle approach • Cultural factors and their impact on the experience of grief • Stigma and attitudes toward treatment • Diagnosing and treating PGD With consequences that include suffering, social isolation and loneliness, poor physical health, shortened life expectancy, and suicide, it is critical that PGD be recognized and treated as quickly as possible. Thus, Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder is a necessary resource: Its evidence-based approach gives readers the tools they need to recognize grief in themselves and others, strategies for the clinical management of typical grief, guidance on the specific treatment for PGD, and tips on when to refer patients for specialty care.

Physical problems and emotional stresses, such as bereavement, health conditions, pain, concerns about the future, side effects of medications, and the accumulated effects of lifestyle choices, may lead to depression or anxiety in older people. However, as Drs. Mark D. Miller and Charles F. Reynolds III know, these mental disorders are not a natural or an inevitable part of aging. In "Depression and Anxiety in Later Life, " these psychiatrists show how depression and anxiety can be avoided or minimized by adapting to changing circumstances while controlling risk factors and getting help when it's needed.

This reassuring book balances discussions of the causes, symptoms, and treatments of mental illness with descriptions of successful adaptive aging. Case studies illustrate the less obvious depression symptoms of irritability, disorganization, and social withdrawal. Readers will find information about memory loss, pain, sleep, nutrition, and end-of-life issues particularly helpful.

Aging can be challenging, but it doesn't always lead to depression or anxiety. "Depression and Anxiety in Later Life" will help older people, their family members, and caregivers make positive changes to take control of their own individual situations.

Depression affects people of all ages, but is both more common and more serious for those over sixty. As many as half of all nursing home residents have depression, as do up to 40 percent of those who visit primary care clinics. Late-life depression is a disease with unique risk factors. Health problems, physical limitations, the loss of loved ones, and fears about financial issues all contribute to an increased incidence of depression, which, despite its prevalence, is not a normal part of the aging process. It can intensify existing medical conditions such as chronic pain and is far more likely to lead to suicide than does depression in younger people. There is good news, however: 80 percent of older people who receive treatment for depression make a complete recovery and enjoy fulfilling lives.

In "Living Longer Depression Free," Mark D. Miller, M.D., and Charles F. Reynolds III, M.D., draw on their considerable experience in geriatric psychiatry to help elderly persons, their families, and their physicians accurately diagnose and treat late-life depression. This comprehensive, up-to-date guide begins with a discussion of the different types of depression, their causes, and symptoms. The authors then describe how doctors evaluate depression; present the treatment options available to patients today, including psychotherapy, medication, and alternative treatments; and offer strategies for achieving long-term mental health. Each chapter opens with a list of frequently asked questions and uses case studies to personalize the information provided, and the book closes with a useful list of resources for further information, including hotlines and websites.

Compassionate and accessible, "Living Longer Depression Free" is an invaluable guide for older people and their families striving to overcome this debilitating disease and prevent its recurrence.