Brain and mental health disorders
This group includes Dementia which is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain. There are over 200 subtypes of dementia, but the five most common are: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, fronto-temporal dementia and mixed dementia. Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia and these are commonly called mixed dementia.
This group also includes CJD. Some dementia types are seen in other diseases such as MS, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, long term alcohol use and traumatic brain injuries. Depression, Bipolar affective disorder and Parkinson’s disease also sit within this group
What causes Dementia?
The brain is made up of nerve cells (neurones) that communicate with each other by sending messages. Dementia damages the nerve cells in the brain so messages can’t be sent from and to the brain effectively, which prevents the body from functioning normally.
Regardless of which type of dementia is diagnosed and what part of the brain is affected, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Support for the person with Dementia and the family and carers is important as it can affect the whole family.
Early diagnosis and treatment with medication and other interventions, can be used to help manage and lessen the symptoms.
Some of the signs and symptoms of dementia can be a change in;
- short term memory
- thought processes
- concentration level
- communication, comprehension and word finding
- motivation level
- ability to perform everyday tasks
- personality, mood, behaviour or social functioning
