Hypochondriasis and Paranoia

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Abstract
Hypochondriasis and paranoia are common psychopathologies of aging. The former may be secondary to depression or organic brain syndrome, whereas the latter may be secondary to sensory impairment or organic brain syndrome. Paranoid schizophrenia, with delusions of grandeur, is rare in later life. Institutionalized geriatric patients (273) were classified by means of staff ratings into categories such as lucid and alert, confused, hypochondriacal, paranoid, etc. Among confused patients there was a correlation of .45 between hypochondriasis and paranoia. Even among nonconfused patients, there was a slight positive correlation. Geriatric paranoia and hypochondriasis apparently have similar structure (delusion) and functions (safeguarding self-esteem and manipulating others). An interpersonal perspective can provide guidelines for when to treat these conditions.

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