Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo, Japan.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2024 Mar;24 Suppl 1:118-122. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14699. Epub 2023 Oct 17.
This study explores the intricate relationship between social interactions and the development of persecutory delusions among older women living alone in Japan. Focusing on the unique perspective of individuals experiencing delusions outside clinical settings, the aim was to understand the impact of interpersonal interactions on delusion formation.
Cases of older women living alone with persecutory delusions were selected from records of municipal psychogeriatric services and medical consultations within a community space. This study employed a descriptive approach to propose a hypothesis regarding the possible connection between social interactions and the development of persecutory delusions within this demographic.
Two relevant cases were identified, from which a three-step hypothesis emerged regarding the potential link between social interactions and the development of persecutory delusions in this demographic. Insights from these cases suggest that anxiety can trigger hallucinations, which, when unaddressed, evolve into delusional interpretations. Addressing these unmet needs could mitigate the progression of persecutory delusions.
The findings of this study underline the critical relationship between social interactions and persecutory delusions among older women living alone. The unmet need for empathy influences the progression from anxiety-driven hallucinations to fully formed delusions. Early intervention can prevent the escalation of delusions and involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. This study underscores the importance of recognizing the link between social isolation and delusion emergence. It advocates for compassionate environments to meet the psychological needs of older individuals grappling with delusions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 118-122.
本研究旨在探讨日本独居老年女性的社会交往与被害妄想发展之间的复杂关系。研究聚焦于个体在临床环境之外出现妄想这一独特视角，旨在了解人际互动对妄想形成的影响。
从市精神科服务和社区空间内的医疗咨询记录中选择了独居且伴有被害妄想的老年女性病例。本研究采用描述性方法，针对这一人群中社会互动与被害妄想发展之间可能存在的联系提出假设。
确定了两个相关病例，从中得出了一个关于这一人群中社会互动与被害妄想发展之间潜在联系的三步假设。这些病例提供的见解表明，焦虑可能引发幻觉，而如果这些幻觉得不到解决，就会发展成妄想性解释。满足这些未满足的需求可以减轻被害妄想的发展。
本研究强调了社会互动与独居老年女性被害妄想之间的关键关系。同理心的未满足需求影响了从焦虑驱动的幻觉到完全形成的妄想的发展过程。早期干预可以防止妄想的升级和非自愿的精神病住院。本研究强调了认识到社会隔离与妄想出现之间联系的重要性。它倡导建立富有同情心的环境，以满足那些与妄想作斗争的老年个体的心理需求。老年医学与老年病学国际杂志 2024 年；24：118-122。
