Paranoid disorder in old age Flashcards
What are the common causes of psychosis in older people?
Delirium
Dementia
Delusional disorder
Organic causes (physiological reasons)
What are the common delusions in delusional disorder of the elderly?
Persecutory delusions
Delusions of reference
What is the common route of presentation of elderly patients with paranoid disorder?
Via someone else
e.g. family or rentokill
What are 3 risk factors for paranoid disorders in the elderly?
Female
Living alone
Never married
Give some examples of organic causes of psychosis in elderly people.
post CVA
subdural
epilepsy
Do diagnose delusional disorder in elderly people what is it important to rule out?
Delirium
Dementia
Psychotic depression/mania
How can you rule out delirium as a cause of psychosis in elderly people?
Bloods
Physical examination
How can you rule out dementia as a cause of psychosis in elderly people?
MMSE
What are some important contributing factors that can lead to paranoid disorder that can be treated?
Sensory deprivation
Physical issues e.g. pain, mobility
Loneliness
Medications
How can you help a patient who is lonely?
Day centres
What is the mainstay of treatment for elderly paranoid disorder? (what if they are non-compliant)
Antipsychotics, mainly risperidone
give depot
What is the risk of prescribing antipsychotics in the elderly?
Increased risk of falls (sedation)
EPSE’s
Cardiac risks
INCREASED risk of CVA in DEMENTIA
What regarding medication can increase risk of paranoid disorder in the elderly?
polypharmacy
