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| Assessing aggression in the elderly
Aggression in dementia
- Usually inexplicable by patient
- Unpredictable
- Occurs impulsively, particularly when being attended to (e.g.,
hygiene)
- Easily distracted from target of aggression
- Cannot remember being aggressive or why
Aggression in delirium-
May be in response to delusions or hallucinations
- Appears to be random
- Unpredictable
- Fluctuating aggressive episodes
Aggression in depression
-
Occurs in setting of irritability (e.g., of wanting to be left alone)
- May be angry with him/herself
Aggression in paranoia
-
Occurs in response to delusional beliefs
- Patient may be aggressive as a defence against profound fear
- Remembers aggressive outbursts and may have associated guilt
- Has clear reasons for aggression, which are associated with paranoid
delusions and self-defence
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