Dementia

Dementia is the decline of cognitive function.  For many, this is a confusing and frustrating time, and for their loved ones, the confusion, frustration, and helplessness only mount.  Dementia is not only a disease of the individual’s mind, but dementia also wears away at families and loved ones as well.  Trauma to the head or a disease that affects the normal function of the brain generally causes dementia.  It specifically affects the thought process involved in problem solving, memory, language, and attention.

Dementia is a degenerative disease gets progressively worse over time.  For sufferers of this disease, the lack of cognitive functioning ability leads to job loss, lack of enjoyment of hobbies, and inability to enjoy the company of their loved ones.  People who suffer from dementia sometimes find that they lose their ability to situate themselves in either place or time and might lose their recognition ability.  This is a scary reality to face.  In progressed cases, a fulltime caretaker is necessary to facilitate the daily functions of individuals as well as ensure their personal safety at all times.  The disorienting symptoms of this disease make especially frustrating for both victims of the disorder and those who care for them.

For almost all patients’ suffering from dementia, elderly age is a significantly contributing factor.  The most common causes of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, Hypothyroidism, Vascular Dementia, Vitamin deficiency (B1, B12, A), Alcohol-Induced Persisting Dementia, Syphilis, Front temporal Lobar Degenerations, Tumors, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV infection, Down's syndrome, or Head trauma.  Losing mental functioning capacities is a scary time for individuals, and little is known medically as far as reducing the affects of this disorder.

One of the few known methods to reduce the affects of dementia is through psychology.  Through a rigorous and regimented program of mental exercises and memory techniques individuals sometimes report improved mental functioning and capacity.  In the very least, the experience and times with a psychologist allow individuals to become more aware and informed on their current conditions of dementia.  This will allow a better acceptance and ability for these individuals and loved ones to work on living with dementia.  While the causes may vary, the outcome is the same; A confused individual trying to make sense of seemingly unfamiliar surroundings.

Does someone you love and care for suffer from Dementia? Contact one of our Licensed Professional Psychologists Today to see what your Treatment and Therapy options are!

Read more on other mental health topics such as: Depression, Alzheimers and Bipolar Disorder