Psychodynamic Approaches to the Experience of Dementia

'This excellent book is a refreshing and valuable contribution to our understanding of the challenges faced by people with dementia and how we might help. By shining the different light of psychodynamics on dementia, the authors and the editors reveal novel insights and opportunities into dementia and how to improve the quality of care provided. The editors, Sandra Evans, Jane Garner and Rachel Darnley-Smith have done a fantastic job in commissioning and writing a set of chapters that will enable readers to challenge their assumptions and by doing so to think and act differently for the benefit of those with dementia.' – Sube Banerjee, Professor of Dementia and Deputy Dean, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

'I would highly recommend this multi-authored book which brings a psychodynamic understanding to dementia care. This beautifully perceptive and insightful book helps the reader (both professional and lay) develop a greater understanding of the emotions encountered as the illness progresses.' – Amanda Thompsell, Old Age Psychiatrist at SLAM and Chair of the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry at the Royal College of Psychiatrists

'This is an essential and unique book which courageously explores the subjective world of dementia. So many find too terrifying to contemplate and yet with this book as a guide, clinicians, but also families and carers, will come closer to understanding how the world impacts on the mind of an individual suffering from this disease. It also helps with insights in relation to how the experience of dementia in someone close to them impacts on their experience of the world. This is an extraordinarily helpful and long-awaited book, which will be welcomed by professionals as well as those effected by this illness.' – Peter Fonagy, OBE, Professor of Contemporary of Psychoanalysis and Developmental Science, University College London

'This unique, much needed book movingly and intelligently reflects upon the experience of people living with dementia and their families and carers through a new lens. Collectively, drawing upon psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theories; psychiatrists, analytic psychotherapists, psychologists, arts therapists and counsellors provide new meanings for those living with dementia, their families, carers and therapists. This rich multi-disciplinary perspective will appeal to professionals and family members and carers.' – Professor Helen Odell-Miller, OBE, Director, Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy, Anglia Ruskin University

The bookprovides a strong argument for the value of a psychodynamic perspective for those affected by dementia. It challenges assumptions regarding who can benefit from a psychodynamic approach and encourages clinicians to always consider the emotional impacts of the disease, not only the person with dementia but for those around the person, including themselves. -Jodie Bloska; Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, Anglia Ruskin University, UK

This book is a must for anyone keen to support people who experience dementia at all stages, their family friends. It is an excellent book and one that I would highly recommend. - Kerry Jones

Open University

The essays in this book are very accessible and likely to be of interest to a wide readership of people who may be interested in dementia care. All of the contributors helpfully draw from psychodynamic theory without over-laying their essays too heavily with psychodynamic jargon. -Phil McEvoy, Anglian Community Enterprise, Salford, UK

It certainly has a place on the bookshelf of a multidisciplinary professional working in this field.- Hugh Grant Peterkin, Homerton Psychological Medicine, East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK