Hypochondriasis and paranoia: similar delusional systems in an institutionalized geriatric population

Hypochondriasis and paranoia are common psychopathologies of aging. The former may be secondary to depression or organic brain syndrome, whereas the latter may be secondary to sensory impairment or organic brain syndrome. Paranoid schizophrenia, with delusions of grandeur, is rare in later life. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The journal of nervous and mental disease Vol. 167; no. 4; p. 224
Main Authors:	Brink, T L, Capri, D, DeNeeve, V, Janakes, C, Oliveira, C
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-04-1979
Subjects:	California Delusions - psychology Dementia - psychology Humans Hypochondriasis - psychology Institutionalization Paranoid Disorders - psychology Social Behavior California
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	Hypochondriasis and paranoia are common psychopathologies of aging. The former may be secondary to depression or organic brain syndrome, whereas the latter may be secondary to sensory impairment or organic brain syndrome. Paranoid schizophrenia, with delusions of grandeur, is rare in later life. The authors classified 273 institutionalized geriatric patients by means of staff ratings into categories such as lucid and alert, confused, hypochondriacal, paranoid, etc. Among confused patients there was a correlation of .45 (p less than .001) between hypochondriasis and paranoia. Even among nonconfused patients, there was a slight positive correlation. The authors concluded that geriatric paranoia and hypochrondriasis have similar structure (delusion) and functions (safeguarding self-esteem and manipulating others). An interpersonal perspective can also provide guidelines for when to treat these conditions.
ISSN:	0022-3018
DOI:	10.1097/00005053-197904000-00005