Summary

Being kind to ourselves: A feasibility randomised controlled trial of Compassion Focused Therapy to improve depression and anxiety in Dementia 

Our work seeks to implement practical, positive improvements for individuals with dementia facing anxiety or depression. Getting a dementia diagnosis can trigger many difficult emotions and has been compared to a grief reaction, alongside a loss of autonomy, self-esteem and identity. With a distinct lack of treatments offering effective emotional relief, our study, aptly named "Being Kind to Ourselves," is all about helping individuals with dementia cultivate kindness towards themselves during distress. Beyond just a temporary solution, we are aiming for long-term positive changes that help individuals navigate dementia and low mood. 

Compassion Focused Therapy is a talking therapy that incorporates mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises and compassionate building exercises to help individuals foster a sense of safety and self-soothing. It aims to encourage individuals to use mental images that evoke feelings of compassion, safety and understanding, this might include an image of a flowing river, or a hug with a loved one. Compassion Focused Therapy is a unique approach as it places compassion at the core of the therapeutic process, providing individuals with a varied tool kit to help enhance their well-being through developing self-compassion and understanding.