[Concerning: aging, the beginning of dialysis, the beginning of dependence: repercussions on the psychopathology of the very old dialysis patient].

The incidence of psychopathology, particularly depression, is high in dialysed elderly patients whereas their perceived level of health in the mental domain is similar to that of a non-dialysed and, even younger, population. Although the losses associated with advancing years, chronic disease and then entry into dialysis renders the psyche of elderly people frail, they do not strictly add in negative terms: their psychological reserve or resignation helps very elderly people to tolerate dialysis and its constraints. However, maintaining functional autonomy (ability to provide for one's fundamental needs and preserve leisure activities) while remaining independent to take decisions (particularly in controlling ways of receiving assistance) and preserving close relationships emerge as major determinant factors of the quality of life of very elderly dialysed patients.

[From social distress to psychic pain].

Regarding 75 subjects of both sex sent to psychiatric and alcological consultations by social departments to which they required some help, the authors ask the question about limits between social alienation and mental alienation for people in precarity and poverty position. They inquire into role part and position of the psychiatrist beside them.