Objective: Two case reports will illustrate a verbal group psychotherapy in a psychogeriatric day hospital. Group therapy is a popular psychotherapeutical tool since 1975. Groups facilitate interpersonal relationships and offer potentials absent in individual psychotherapy. They do not represent a « minor » alternative. Psychological symptoms are seen as the consequences of relationship disturbances, and following a psychodynamic approach, participants are encouraged to share their emotions, thoughts and behaviors by means of verbal communication. Group leaders form a framing unit which facilitates and guides the participants communication. Specialized in group animation, the leaders maintain the focus of the discussion on the « here and now » experience and encourage every member to speak.
Design: Case reports of Mr U. and Mrs S.
Materials and Methods: The psychotherapy group takes place every week during 50 minutes and is co-animated by a psychiatrist and a psychologist. The theme of the discussion is freely chosen by the participants. The group is a slow open gender mixed group of small size, offered to outpatients of a geriatric psychiatric day hospital as part of a three days psychotherapeutic community program. In 2002, a total of 46 patients suffering from various psychiatric pathologies have participated in 4 to 40 sessions.
Results: Descriptive clinical data.
Conclusion: Several of the benefits observed are similar to those of younger adults, yet particularly important for elderly patients, who are at risk for loneliness, low social valorization and low self-esteem. Improvement of social relationships: Rules, norms, a common scheme of thinking and a common goal produce a homogenization of the group and create a feeling of belonging. In parallel, the testing of various rules (e.g. silent, critic) favors differentiation of its members and allows individualization within the group. Dedramatization or universalization: The fact that others have the same problem, previously considered to be strictly personal, produces feelings of relief, support, hope and feelings of helping somebody else. Furthermore, some benefits seem specifically predominant for an elderly population. Myths and images of aging : Sharing with other elderly allows challenging of commonly accepted attitudes to aging. Personality development continues throughout the life-span. Increased self-efficacy and autonomy: Through sharing of adaptation strategies in every day environments, elderly patients support each other in an educative way. Facing of death and dying: Group psychotherapy offers a holding experience facilitating expressions of loss and grief.
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