Dementia, Delirium, Depression
Definition
Dementia is popularly known as “dotage”. Depression is a more familiar word that is frequently heard in daily life and it is the “inability to enjoy life”. Delirium, on the other hand, is a lesser-known term that can be described as a kind of “madness” as its name suggests, but in fact corresponds to “disorder of attention, consciousness and behavior.” Dementia, delirium and depression need to be identified separately, but this may not always be easy. Because sometimes all three situations can be together, they can follow each other or they can imitate each other. The common age group with dementia, delirium and depression is older. Of course, there are clues that Neurology and Psychiatry practice frequently use to distinguish these situations. For example, the concept of time is important for these situations. While dementia is a condition that develops and goes on for years, depression can last for months to years. Delirium, on the other hand, is a condition that appears “suddenly”, “fluctuates” and can last for days/weeks.
Dementia
It is a state of loss of intellectual capacity, resulting from progressive deterioration of memory and other mental functions. There are many causes of dementia that can or cannot be treated, either brain or non-brain. Untreated dementias are more than treatable dementia. “Dementia” is a kind of “umbrella” definition and includes dementia for a variety of reasons. Alzheimer’s disease is only one of the types of dementia in this context, but it is the most common type. This is probably why it is understood as “Alzheimer’s disease” whenever “dementia” is mentioned. Alzheimer’s disease occurs in 10% of people over 65 years of age and 50% of people over 85 years of age.
Other causes of dementia:
- Brain vascular diseases
- Progressive brain diseases
- Genetic causes
- Trauma
- Tumor, infection
- Non-brain diseases (diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, goiter diseases, etc.)
Alzheimer’s disease
The earliest complaints are imperfect memory deficits, increasing effects on daily activities and behavioral changes. There is loss of skills, speech impairment, dreams, loss of way, difficulty in learning new information, loss of decision-making, deterioration in social relations and isolation. If it is proved that there are no other diseases that may cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed. Therefore, history, neurological examination, laboratory findings, imaging studies and some neuropsychological tests are required before the diagnosis of dementia. In rare cases, the patient may need to be followed for a certain period of time.
Depression
Depression is a state of sadness, reduced communication with the environment, and inability to enjoy life. Although these complaints are often experienced, if persists it is diagnosed as depression.
Biological causes, brain chemistry, hormones, genetic causes, life events or various brain diseases can cause depression.
Delirium is usually a transient brain dysfunction that can be treated. It occurs with neuropsychiatric abnormalities and is common in the elderly. Delirium can be eliminated or, in some cases, spontaneously resolved by causal and sedative treatment. As a rule of thumb, it is necessary to prevent the delirium patient from harming himself or his environment. Delirium can also occur in a dementia patient.
What happens in delirium?
- Blur of consciousness
- Attention and maintenance disorder
- No knowledge of location, time and people
- Dreaming
- Fluctuation in consciousness
- Speech disorder
- trembling hands
- Involuntary movements
- Movement defect
RESULT: Brain and body health together systemic diseases in general directly or indirectly affect brain functions. The three most common and treatable mental disorders are vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disease and diabetes. These disorders can be easily detected and resolved. A life full of active and social sharing is as important for brain health as possible. Friend meetings, non-tiring regular sports, walks, reading newspaper-books-magazines and telling what they read, using computers, solving puzzles, productivity in every way in daily life are indispensable elements of mental health.
Wishing a healthy and successful life.
Assistant Professor U.Ergün