When the Body Intrudes: Psychotherapy with Older and Medically Ill Adults -- Technology, Idealization, and Unconscious Dynamics in the Culture of Medicine -- The Trauma of Medical Illness -- Narcissistic Aspects of Aging and Illness -- Grey Areas: When Illness May be Particularly Impacted by Psychological Variables -- Transference and Countertransference Considerations -- Self-Destructive Behaviors and Illness -- Cognitive Changes and Implications for the Therapeutic Encounter -- What We Know and What We Don't: The Influence of Psychological Factors and Relationships on Medical Illness -- Hope and Grief: The Introduction of an Emotional Language.

This timely update of the bedrock text reflects what we now know-and are still finding out-about the benefits of psychodynamic psychotherapy for older adults facing chronic conditions. Expanding on the original, the author balances the physical and experiential factors affecting patients' physical illnesses and related emotional distress while situating core psychodynamic constructs in the context of illness and aging. Special attention is paid to technique, giving therapists practical guidance on dealing with transference and countertransference issues, working with patients in cognitive decline, and navigating complexities of age, class, and culture. The book also reviews the current evidence on how and why psychodynamic therapy helps medical patients with coping, adapting, and healing. Included in the coverage: Technology, idealization, and unconscious dynamics in the culture of medicine. Narcissistic aspects of aging and illness. Grey areas: when illness may be particularly impacted by psychological variables. Cognitive changes and implications for the therapeutic encounter. The influence of psychological factors and relationships on medical illness. Hope and grief: the introduction of an emotional language. The Second Edition of Psychodynamic Perspectives on Aging and Illness skillfully follows its predecessor as a powerful, plain-spoken mentor to therapists working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient practice.