"Why does my mom keep suspecting people of stealing her things lately? She doesn't even trust her own daughter. What's going on?" Ms. Li told me with concern, as her 70-year-old mother's excessive suspicion had already led to three nannies being replaced at home.
In psychiatric clinics, consultations about "elderly suspicion" are common, and this tendency seems to intensify with age.
In truth, heightened suspicion is first and foremost a common psychological state among the elderly. As they age, hearing loss and vision impairment can limit information intake, making them prone to subjective assumptions and believing fragments of conversation. Secondly, their social circles shrink and their focus narrows. Hearing family members discuss matters behind their backs, they assume it's about them; an unintentionally harsh remark from a child can trigger wild speculation.
However, it's important to note that excessive suspicion in the elderly requires not only understanding and attentive care from their children but also vigilance against potential underlying mental health issues. The most common culprit is dementia, where individuals not only experience memory loss but also frequently develop delusions—such as believing others are stealing their belongings or plotting against them. Other psychological conditions may also trigger similar symptoms.
Therefore, if an elderly person persistently suspects others of stealing or gossiping about them, or believes they have a serious illness, they should promptly seek consultation at a specialized psychiatric or psychological clinic. With appropriate treatment, the condition often improves significantly.