[Diversity of the psychopathology of memory complaints in the aging adult].
A strong correlation was frequently observed between memory complaints and the scores obtained on anxiety and depression scales. This paper contributes to explore the psychopathological basis of the experience of decreased memory efficiency. Our research, based on a clinical psychopathological methodology, rests upon semi-directed interviews associated with a psychological examination combining neuropsychological tests and projective methodology. The population consists of 31 subjects aged 53 to 85 years, who presented with memory complaint upon their own initiative in a memory clinic and for whom the neuropsychological examination ruled out the hypothesis of the onset of cerebral deterioration. The patients exhibited more or less mild neurotic, borderline and narcissistic psychic modes of functioning. There was no patient exhibiting psychotic functioning. We have been able to verify among the neurotic patients how the emphasis of anxiety of memory loss correspond to a revival of the anxiety of castration, that of being dispossessed of capacities which guarantee autonomy, judgement, power of decision and action. Furthermore, in the contemporary context of cerebral pathologies which can transform every intelligent man in a dependent, indeed bedridden being, this complaint jointly betrays an anxiety triggered by the risk of a violated intimacy due to the care which could be given as well as an anxiety linked to eviction, dispossession and to acts of mistreatment which are greatly apprehended. In patients exhibiting borderline functioning, the complaint of memory decline betrayed anxiety of fracture and dissolution of the self, and of lack of object-support. In narcissistic patients, the weakness of memory mobilisation eradicated the illusion that time does not pass, does not cause damage and that objects neither leave nor die.
Verdon
Benoît
B
Laboratoire de Psychologie clinique et de Psychopathologie (EA 4056), Université Paris Descartes, Institut de Psychologie, Boulogne-Billancourt, France. benoit.verdon@univ-paris5.fr
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index