The concept of memory disorder in senile psychosis as solely a function of non-psychogenic learning decay intimately related to the breakdown of a short-term memory storage unit is criticized. The same psychogenic interferences blocking memory can retard the senile's initial learning. Treatments discussed include individual psychotherapy dealing directly with fears of escalating disadvantage, increasing disability and imminent death, in conjunction with group psychotherapy focusing on the “here and now.” Specific research proposals are made for the analysis of learning and recall deficits such that conflicting hypotheses of senility can be more objectively assessed.
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