Personality Disorders in the Elderly

Abstract

<p>Personality disorders in the elderly have received relatively little attention, yet they may seriously complicate the course and treatment of other psychiatric disorders and adversely affect quality of life. Patients with personality disorders have longstanding difficulties in multiple aspects of functioning, notably in managing interpersonal relationships, maintaining a stable sense of self, and tolerating strong emotions. Consequently, elderly patients with personality disorders may be more vulnerable to the stresses associated with aging than their same-aged peers. They may also present with additional needs, but, paradoxically, they have greater difficulty in accepting or making use of available resources. This article summarizes studies of geriatric personality disorders and clinical approaches to problems of the aging personality.</p> <h4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</h4> <p>Robert C. Abrams, MD; and Chaim E. Bromberg, PhD, are with the Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY.</p> <p>Address correspondence to: Robert C. Abrams, MD, Box 140, 525 E. 68th Street, New York, NY, 10021.</p> <p>The authors would like to acknowledge the American Philanthropic Foundation and the Reynolds Foundation.</p> <p>The authors disclosed no relevant financial relationships.</p> <h4>EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES</h4> <ol> <li>List common problems in assessing older adults for <cite>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</cite>, fourth edition (DSM-IV) personality disorders.</li> <li>Describe the relationships between depressive and personality disorders in older adults.</li> <li>Identify ways in which personality disorders in elderly patients can be diagnosed and managed in general medical settings.</li> </ol>