People living with dementia may benefit from talking therapies if they suffer from anxiety or depression, finds a new study. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety are widespread among people with dementia, and previous studies estimate that 38 per cent of people with mild dementia are affected by the conditions. However, the new study, published in eClinicalMedicine, is the first to assess whether talking therapies routinely delivered within healthcare settings might be helpful in relieving symptoms.

"Anxiety and depression are very common in people with dementia. They are extremely debilitating and associated with worse outcomes for both the person with dementia and their carers," said lead author Georgia Bell from the University College of London. For the study, the team examined data from 2,515,402 people who had clinically significant anxiety or depression and completed a course of treatment via the national 'Improving Access to Psychological Therapies' (IAPT) service in England between 2012 and 2019.