La signification de l’altération des facultés cognitives dans les syndromes démentiels : conséquence d’un processus organique et/ou symptôme d’un mécanisme de défense psychique, comment faire la part des choses ?

Abstract

The meaning of a decrease in cognitive abilities in dementia syndromes is triple. It testifies simultaneously to an organic lesion, to a psychic defence mechanism of the individual facing a collective denial of death and a disavowal of individuals too obviously mortal, and also to a social artifact (syndrome of Tithon). This triple origin implies taking the three points of view into account independently but in a synergistic way.