A Psychiatrist's Guide to Successful Retirement and Aging: Coping with Change

by H Michael Zal

Overview

As the baby boomer generation becomes senior citizens and starts to flood into the last stage of life, a new definition and new expectations of retirement and aging are evolving. This is not your father’s way of being an older adult. People today tend not to retire in a traditional way. They envision getting older as a challenge to stay active and engaged, a chance to reinvent themselves, and an opportunity to reach for new goals. However, for some, this stage of life can be difficult, bringing with it a whole range of new challenges and obstacles. Along the way, many may deal with mental health problems such as stress and anxiety, grief and depression, drug and alcohol abuse, changes in marital and other relationships, as well as elder abuse. Are you ready? How will you fill your new free time? How will you cope with the psychological changes? Let this book, on coping with the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual issues of retirement and aging from a psychiatrist’s perspective, light the way.

This book will help readers deal with common issues across a broad spectrum. It offers treatment options, suggests coping skills, and even deals with spiritual and emotional challenges at the end of life. It will help you invest in relationships, redefine your marriage, and broaden your horizons. It will allow you to take charge of your life in retirement and not just let it happen to you.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442251236
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/14/2016
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

H Michael Zal, DO, is a psychiatrist, retired from private practice after forty-three years. He is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Philadelphia College of 'steopathic Medicine. He is board certified, a Fellow of American College of Neurology and Psychiatry and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is a lecturer, medical writer and editor on mental health topics with numerous published articles to his credit. He was the winner of the Eric W. Martin Memorial Award, presented by the American Medical Writers Association, for outstanding writing and the Frances Larson Memorial Award for excellence. Dr. Zal is also the author of Panic Disorder: The Great Pretender, TheSandwich Generation: Caught Between Growing Children and Aging Parents, and Ten Steps To Relieve Anxiety, Refocus, Relax and Enjoy Life. He is Editor-In-Chief of The Journal of the Pennsylvania 'steopathic Medical Association. He was Chairman of the Psychiatric Service at Metropolitan Hospital in Philadelphia and a member of the University Of Pennsylvania Private Practice Research Group. He was also on the staff of Charter-Fairmount Institute, Mercy Suburban Hospital and the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Zal received the Albert Einstein Healthcare Foundation Physicians’ Award for Excellence and the Practitioner of the Year Award, from the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society, for outstanding character, dedication, and commitment to patient care.

Table of Contents

Author’s Note
Contents
Foreword
Introduction: Psychological Aspects of Retirement and Aging

Part I: Getting Ready: Awareness
Chapter 1 –Emotions
Chapter 2 – Negative Behaviors
Chapter 3 -Relationships
Chapter 4 – Physical changes

Part II: Common Mental Health Problems As We Age
Chapter 5 – Stress and Anxiety
Chapter 6 – Depression and Grief
Chapter 7 – Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Chapter 8 –Marital and Sexual Issues Later in Life
Chapter 9 – Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Chapter 10- Elder Abuse
Part III: Mental Health in the Final Phase of Life Chapter 11 –Psychological Caregiver ChallengesChapter 12 – Emotional Decisions at the End of Life

Part 1V: Psychiatric Treatment Options
Chapter 13 – Can A Psychiatrist Help?
Chapter 14– Therapy
Chapter 15 – Medication

Part V: Coping Skills
Chapter 16 – Stay Active
Chapter 17 – Maintain a Positive Attitude
Chapter 18 – Have a Goal and Stay Engaged
Chapter 19 –Religious Affiliation
Chapter 20- Laughter is the Best Medicine
Conclusion – The Meaning of Life - Aging Wisdom
Acknowledgment
About the Author
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

04/11/2016
While many plan for retirement's financial challenges, fewer consider its emotional repercussions. Zal (Ten Steps to Reduce Anxiety), a psychiatrist who retired after 43 years of private practice, offers an enlightening and empowering look at this often neglected aspect of aging. He suggests ways to prepare and cope with the inevitable changes, stressing the importance of planning ahead and embracing new activities and people even before stopping work, and of remaining active, positive, and engaged. Zal also prescribes treatment options and coping skills for dealing with the mental health issues that commonly arise in retirement. He shows how to invest in relationships, broaden horizons, and deal with wellness issues, including depression and grief, problems with marital and sexual relationships, and dementia and Alzheimer's disease. He also helps readers determine whether therapy and medication may help. Particularly valuable is a section directed to the needs of caregivers. For those who are planning to retire in the not-so-distant future or have parents doing the same, this book will be a valuable asset to help avoid common pitfalls and make the most of the years to come. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Michael Zal turns your retirement fantasy into reality so you can avoid or better cope with the inevitable “pot holes”— be they social, emotional or physical. His realistic and compassionate insights will ease transitions and help create retirement years that are all you hoped they would be.

Susan Newman

According to Zal, most books about retirement focus on financial planning. Retirees must, however, also plan for emotional and physical challenges. Stressing proactivity and a positive attitude, seasoned psychiatrist Zal examines the broad range of changes brought on by aging that can affect self-esteem, well-being, and relationships. Stress, anxiety, isolation, substance abuse, depression, sexual issues, dementia, and elder abuse are very real concerns, and Zal points out their danger signals. Tips on providing care, choosing appropriate living arrangements, making end of life decisions (will, power of attorney, etc.), selecting nursing homes, and seeking hospice care are also covered. Finally, he explains the importance of treatment in combating common mental disorders and offers practical suggestions for coping with normal life changes. Examples gleaned from his own practice, along with scenarios featuring fictional couple Harold and Vivienne, illustrate his lessons. Urging readers to 'avoid avoidance' and take control of their lives, Zal presents a straightforward, no-nonsense plan that will reassure retiring seniors and their adult children and caregivers.
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Booklist

Most people think that the decision to retire is primarily a financial one. While money is important, perhaps more important is being psychologically ready and prepared to retire. This guide will step you through preparing to retire and how to retire successfully.

Ronald E. Riggio

According to Zal, most books about retirement focus on financial planning. Retirees must, however, also plan for emotional and physical challenges. Stressing proactivity and a positive attitude, seasoned psychiatrist Zal examines the broad range of changes brought on by aging that can affect self-esteem, well-being, and relationships. Stress, anxiety, isolation, substance abuse, depression, sexual issues, dementia, and elder abuse are very real concerns, and Zal points out their danger signals. Tips on providing care, choosing appropriate living arrangements, making end of life decisions (will, power of attorney, etc.), selecting nursing homes, and seeking hospice care are also covered. Finally, he explains the importance of treatment in combating common mental disorders and offers practical suggestions for coping with normal life changes. Examples gleaned from his own practice, along with scenarios featuring fictional couple Harold and Vivienne, illustrate his lessons. Urging readers to 'avoid avoidance' and take control of their lives, Zal presents a straightforward, no-nonsense plan that will reassure retiring seniors and their adult children and caregivers.

Booklist