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[Personality disorders in the elderly. Three case reports].
S P van Alphen1, G J Engelen, Y Kuin
1spj.vanalphen@wxs.nl
Tijdschrift Voor Gerontologie En Geriatrie
|January 16, 2002
Summary
Diagnosing personality disorders in older adults is challenging due to age-unrelated criteria and unreliable tests. This study highlights how age-specific stressors impact coping, potentially worsening other psychological symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychopathology
Background:
- Current diagnostic systems for personality disorders (Axis II) lack age-specific considerations.
- Standard psychological assessment tools often show reduced reliability in elderly populations.
- Understanding personality disorders in aging individuals requires an age-sensitive approach.
Observation:
- Presents three case studies of elderly individuals with personality disorders.
- Identifies loss of health, relationships, and autonomy as key age-specific stressors.
- Examines the interplay between psychological symptoms, personality traits, coping styles, and these stressors.
Findings:
- Elderly individuals with personality disorders frequently struggle to cope with age-related stressors.
- Inadequate coping mechanisms can exacerbate or trigger Axis I disorders.
- A strong link exists between personality pathology, coping deficits, and stressor management in later life.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for age-specific considerations in diagnosing personality disorders in the elderly.
- Suggests that addressing coping strategies is crucial for managing Axis I disorders in this demographic.
- Recommends increased attention to Axis II classification within the diagnostic process for older adults.