title: [Personality disorders in the elderly. Three case reports].
abstract: Little is known about diagnosing personality disorders in elderly persons. The current Axis II nosology is not age related and the majority of psychological tests are unreliable. Three cases dealing with personality disorders are presented. In these cases loss of health, relationships and autonomy are pointed out as the age specific stressors. We studied the relation between psychological symptoms, personality, coping style and age specific stressor. It appeared that elderly persons with personality disorders often have difficulties coping with these stressors. Inadequate coping styles may luxate or exaggerate axis I disorders. Therefore we recommend to pay more attention to the axis II classification during the diagnostical process.
authors.affiliation: spj.vanalphen@wxs.nl
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: van Alphen
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Engelen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuin
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Derksen
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: van der Staak
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*