Cognitive Disorders

Madiha Anas
Institute of Psychology Beaconhouse National University

Cognitive Disorders: Areas affected

Thoughts The

capacity of memory Perception The ability to be attentive

Nature of Cognitive Disorders:

Perspectives on Cognitive Disorders Affect cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and consciousness Most develop later in life Three Classes of Cognitive Disorders Delirium often temporary confusion and disorientation Dementia degenerative condition mar ed by broad cognitive deterioration Amnestic disorders memory dysfunctions caused by disease, drugs, or to!ins

Delirium
clouding of consciousness una"areness of "hat#s happening around unable to focus or pay attention memory is foggy

Delirium: An $vervie"

Nature of Delirium
Central

features develop rapidly over several hours or

impaired consciousness and cognition

%mpairments

days &!amples include confusion, disorientation, attention, memory, and language deficits

Facts and Statistics

Affects

'() to *() of persons in acute care facilities Most prevalent in older adults, A%D+ patients, and medical patients ,ull recovery often occurs "ithin several "ee s

Symptoms of delirium
Perceptual Disturbances Speech Problems Motor Problems Hyperactive Hypoactive

Medical Conditions -elated to Delirium

Medical Conditions
Drug

into!ication or "ithdra"al from drugs %nfections, head in.ury, and several different forms of brain trauma +leep deprivation, immobility, and e!cessive stress

DSM !" and DSM !" Subtypes of Delirium

Delirium

due to a general medical condition +ubstance/induced delirium Delirium due to multiple etiologies Delirium not other"ise specified

Dementia
0 progressive deficits in a person#s memory and learning of ne" information, ability to communicate, .udgment, and motor co/ordination1 %t impacts on a person#s ability to "or and interact normally "ith other people21

Dementia

Nature of Dementia

3radual deterioration of brain functioning Affects .udgment, memory, language, and other cognitive processes Dementia has many causes and may be reversible or irreversible Memory impairment, visuospatial s ills deficits Agnosia inability to recogni4e and name ob.ects 5most common symptom6 ,acial agnosia inability to recogni4e familiar faces $ther symptoms delusions, depression, agitation, aggression, and apathy

Progression of Dementia# !nitial Stages

Dementia: An $vervie"

Progression of Dementia# $ater Stages

Cognitive

functioning continues to deteriorate Person re7uires almost total support to carry out day/to/day activities Death results from inactivity combined "ith onset of other illnesses

Dementia: ,acts and +tatistics

%nset and Prevalence

most common in the elderly Affects ') of those bet"een 89/:; years of age Affects over '() of persons <9 years and older ;:) of adults over the age of <9 have dementia of the Al4heimer#s type

3ender and +ociocultural ,actors

Dementia occurs e7ually in men and "omen Dementia occurs e7ually across educational level and social class

D+M/%= and D+M/%=/TClasses of Dementia

Dementia of the Al4heimer#s type =ascular Dementia Dementia due to other general medical conditions +ubstance/induced persisting Dementia Dementia due to multiple etiologies Dementia not other"ise specified

Dementia of the Al4heimer#s Type: An $vervie"

DSM !" T& Criteria and Clinical Features

Multiple

cognitive deficits that develop gradually and steadily Predominant impairment in memory, orientation, .udgment, and reasoning Can include agitation, confusion, depression, an!iety, or combativeness +ymptoms are usually more pronounced at the end of the day

Dementia of the Al4heimer#s Type

&ange of Cognitive Deficits

Aphasia

difficulty "ith language Apra'ia impaired motor functioning Agnosia failure to recogni4e ob.ects Difficulties "ith planning, organi4ing, se7uencing, or abstracting information %mpairments have a mar ed negative impact on social and occupational functioning

Al4heimer#s Disease:
Nature and Progression of the Disease

Deterioration

is slo" during the early and later stages, but rapid during middle stages Average survival time is about < years $nset usually occurs in the 8(s or :(s, but may occur earlier

=ascular Dementia

Nature of "ascular Dementia

Progressive brain disorder caused by bloc age or damage to blood vessels +econd leading cause of dementia ne!t to Al4heimer#s $nset is often sudden 5e1g1, stro e6 Patterns of impairment are variable, and most re7uire formal care in later stages

$ther Causes of Dementia: >ead Trauma and Par inson#s Disease

Head Trauma Accidents are leading causes of such cognitive impairments Memory loss is the most common symptom Par(inson)s Disease Degenerative brain disorder Affects about ' out of ',((( people "orld"ide Motor problems are characteristic of this disorder

$ther Dementias: +ubstance/%nduced Dementia

Substance !nduced Persisting Dementia

-esults

from drug use in combination "ith poor diet &!amples include alcohol, inhalants, sedative, hypnotic drugs -esulting brain damage may be permanent Dementia is similar to that of Al4heimer#s Deficits may include aphasia, apra!ia or agnosia

Amnestic Disorders
People "ith Amnestic disorders are unable to recall previously learned information or to register ne" memories1

Amnestic Disorder

Nature of Amnestic Disorder

loss

of memory %nability to transfer information into long/term memory $ften results from medical conditions, head trauma, or long/term drug use

DSM !" and DSM !" T& Criteria for Amnestic Disorder
Cover

the inability to learn ne" information %nability to recall previously learned information Memory disturbance causes significant impairment in functioning

Types of Amnestic Disorders

&etrograde Amnesia#
Characteri4ed

by inability to recall past information?memory1

Anterograde Amnesia#
Characteri4ed

by inability to learn and recall ne" information1 %n severe forms of anterograde amnesia, people ne"ly met are, immediately forgotten1

Types according to DSM !" T&#

The D+M/%= T- includes t"o ma.or categories of amnestic disorders: Amnesia due to general medical condition#

%t may be chronic 5lasting a month or more6 or transient1 That can result from a "ide variety of medical problems, such as head trauma or lac of o!ygen This condition may be caused by an array of substances including medications, illicit drugs or environmental to!ins such as lead, mercury, and industrial solvents1

Substance induced persisting amnestic disorder#

Causes of Cognitive Disorders

*+,iological Perspective#
Cognitive disorders caused by the less blood flo" to the brain areas or "hen there is some clot in the brain can cause cognitive impairment1 A variety of other factors li e substance into!ication or "ithdra"al, high fever, vitamin deficiency can also cause cognitive impairment1

-+.enetic Perspective#

Cognitive disorders can be genetic if a person has a family history of dementia and other cognitive disorders1 $ther factors such as head in.ury, trauma, surgery, substance into!ication can also lead to cognitive impairment1

/+%ther Factors#