Late-Onset Psychosis and Phenocopies

Abstract

Psychotic symptoms can manifest at any age, but in the elderly they represent a real diagnostic challenge. Thought disorders, hallucinations (usually visual), mood disorders with delusions, impairment of social interaction and occasionally verbal or physical aggression may be observed (Karon & VandenBos, 1998). Since the first descriptions of classical psychiatry, attempts have been made to define the psychoses observed in the elderly and determine whether they are primary "psychiatric" syndromes or, conversely, whether they can be attributed to other pathologies. Thus, different concepts have emerged, such as Late Onset Psychosis or Late-Onset Schizophrenia, Very Late-Onset Psychosis or Very Late-Onset Schizophrenia-Like Psychosis – VLOSL), Late-Life Psychosis, etc.