Paranoia
Paranoia is marked by feelings of persecution. The paranoid individual is accusing and suspicious. In old age, paranoia is common and with some valid reasons.
When one can not see well or heal well, misconceptions of the behavior and motives of others is understandable. Poor health, limited finances, and the loneliness experienced by many older people promote paranoia. The stress of losing control over one`s own affairs can also cause one to act as if others are taking advantage of him or her. When this happens, then there is someone to blame for what goes wrong.
Blamming others is also a way of preserving self-esteem. For example, it is easier to accuse someone of “changing things around” than it is to acknowledge that one can not remember where they put certain possessions.
The negative attitude of society toward aging and the fraud and crimes of which older people are victims contribute to the malady. Treatment begins with trying to reduce the older person`s feeling of insecurity.
Reference :
Farrell J : Nursing Care of the Older Person, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1990.
