Abstract

Hertoghe T.

The psychology of centenarians and its hormonal roots

A4M 12-2005, EMA Paris 10-2006, Semal Madrid 11-2006

Centenarians, and even more supercentenarians behave differently than the average person:

They tend to be more positive minded (tend to see the sunny side of life), have a strong will to live, a stronger belief in higher values including spirituality and religion, have more humour, laugh more and have greater fun.  Once they become an elderly, or even before that time, they often behave in a more nonconformist way.  Centenarians feel often young inside their old body. They tend to irradiate more love than other an “average” younger elderly person.  The reaction of centenarians to stressful events is better adapted. They tend to avoid stress, but when confronted with problems, try to solve them quickly and efficiently. Centenarians tend not to waste time by attributing to others the difficulties they encounter, but put all their energy in finding solutions to overcome the problem, as they interpret problems as normal tests laid out for them on their destiny to become better persons.  Their will to live and reaction to stress is so solid that they are not only able to survive the death of their spouse but also that of their children. They accept to live with physical handicaps as long as their mind continues to function well. In contrast with the majority of elderly persons, centenarians accept to grow old and even very old.

Is there a hormonal base that supports the centenarians’ beneficial attitudes towards life?  In other words: does part of the centenarians’ secret to longevity rely on a better balanced endocrine system that helps them to feel better and develop more efficient psychological attitudes?    In this lecture, the role of testosterone in men and … women, of growth hormone, estradiol, thyroid hormones and cortisol, in boosting psychological attitudes so that the individual may live longer is reviewed and investigated showing the scientific studies on the subject.

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