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[Personality diagnosis in elderly psychiatric patients using a Delphi technique]
S P van Alphen1, G J Engelen, Y Kuin
1Psycholoog Mondriaan Zorggroep, divisie Ouderen, postbus 4436, 6401 CX Heerlen. spj.vanalphen@wxs.nl
Tijdschrift Voor Gerontologie En Geriatrie
|December 26, 2003
Summary
Diagnosing personality disorders in older adults is crucial for effective therapy. Adapting diagnostic criteria and developing specific screening tools for the elderly can improve diagnostic accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Psychopathology
- Mental Health Services Research
Context:
- Current diagnostic tools like DSM-IV Axis II criteria inadequately address the unique emotional and social contexts of older adults.
- There is a recognized need for specialized screening instruments tailored to the elderly population.
Purpose:
- To develop a screening instrument for diagnosing personality disorders in the elderly using the Delphi technique.
- To achieve consensus on diagnostic criteria and relevant information sources for personality disorders in older adults.
Summary:
- A Delphi panel of 53 mental health experts reached consensus on 25 out of 44 proposed items for diagnosing personality disorders in the elderly.
- Key information sources endorsed include biographical data, informant reports, behavioral observations, and therapist-patient interactions.
- The study highlights the importance of considering individual therapy and psycho-educational activities in the diagnosis of personality disorders in older adults.
Impact:
- Adjusting existing diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-IV Axis II) for the elderly can enhance diagnostic quality.
- The development of a dedicated screening instrument is expected to further improve the accuracy and effectiveness of personality disorder diagnostics in older adults.