Nocturnal neurosis of the elderly: failure of agencies to cope with the problem.

About half of the elderly seen in medical consultations in several midtown Manhattan facilities have "nocturnal neurosis." This syndrome is characterized by a mixed neurosis with a pronounced nocturnal increase in the severity of symptoms, occurring in recently isolated persons. Apparently, failure of the neighborhood social network to function during the evening hours largely accounts for the problem. Few Centers provide nighttime activities. A proliferation of evening programs might significantly reduce the prevalence of nocturnal neurosis in the elderly.