Citation

Kishikawa Y, Friedland RP, Ueda H, Kitabayashi Y, Fukui K. Psychogeriatr. 2007; 7(1): 37-39.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Japanese Psychogeriatrics Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1479-8301.2006.00174.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The objective of this case report is to illustrate the influence of socio-psychological background on behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A comparative analysis was undertaken of two suicide cases with AD in the USA and Japan. Both cases were in the early stages of AD. They succeeded in suicide even with their disturbed executive functions, because they felt deprived of their dignity for different reasons according to their socio-cultural background. Early stage AD patients may retain the behavior and intellectual functions associated with their dignity and desire. Since dignity and desire are very cultural concerns, socio-psychological background should be cautiously considered when dealing with the emotional problems of AD patients. © 2007 The Authors; Journal compilation © 2007 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.

Language: en

Keywords

United States; adult; human; suicide; Suicide; Japan; male; aged; case report; depression; bereavement; social isolation; article; comparative study; psychological aspect; interpersonal communication; pathophysiology; priority journal; social psychology; Alzheimer disease; social class; disorientation; clinical examination; brain disease; Alzheimer's disease; neuropsychological test; mini mental state examination; memory disorder; single photon emission computer tomography; human dignity; occupational psychology; Socio-cultural background