Some Psychophysiological Problems of the Elderly

Abstract

The interplay of psychological and physiological disease is so widely recognized that hardly anyone believes it is possible to separate these disorders. Although we continue to discuss “functional” and “organic” problems as if these were mutually exclusive, the reality is that patients with organic disorders also experience psychological disturbances, and vice versa. The interrelationship between psychic and somatic aspects of illness is especially clear in elderly patients. They usually have multiple impairments, and a comprehensive evaluation almost always reveals that psychologic, physiologic, and social factors contribute to the clinical picture. One can assume, consequently, that nearly any social or health problem in an elderly person is likely to be psychophysiologic.