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The Clinical Psychology of Aging pp 225–251Cite as

Organic Treatment of the Elderly

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Abstract

Although clinical gerontology is a relatively new area of specialization, psychologists who practice in this field are committed to treatment goals which are similar to other areas of clinical psychology. Therapeutic goals, in a very general and ideal sense, are: to minimize the patient’s suffering, to improve behavior, to lessen interpersonal friction, and to assist the patient in taking pleasurable interest in his or her environment. To achieve these goals a combination of methods may be necessary. One method which is often used is psychopharmacology, the treatment of the emotionally disturbed with psychotropic medications. Even though psychologists do not prescribe medications, it is important for them to know what the various medications are, how they are used, what precautions should be taken in giving medications, and how medications affect behavior.

The author wishes to acknowledge with great appreciation the helpful comments and suggestions of Arthur Shinn, Pharm. D., Director, Drug Information Center, St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Louis College of Pharmacy, USA

    Philip L. Kapnick

Authors
  1. Philip L. Kapnick
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Martha Storandt

  2. Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA

    Ilene C. Siegler

  3. University of Maine at Orono, Orono, Maine, USA

    Merrill F. Elias

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© 1978 Plenum Press, New York

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Kapnick, P.L. (1978). Organic Treatment of the Elderly. In: Storandt, M., Siegler, I.C., Elias, M.F. (eds) The Clinical Psychology of Aging. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3342-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3342-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3344-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3342-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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