Question

Choose a psychological disorder from the DSM-V.

Neurocognitive Disorders (591)

• Summarize the symptoms of the disorder.

Answer 1

Answer-

Dementia-

Dementia involves a wide range of disorders that affect the functioning of the brain. The disorders create problems in that way an individual thinks, reasons, and memorizes. Dementia is used as an umbrella term used for severe conditions like Alzheimer's and other such neurocognitive disorders. Symptoms of dementia vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the condition. However, the following are some of the most common symptoms-

i) Inability to do everyday tasks- One of the most common and early signs of dementia is the inability to carry out everyday tasks. For example- An individual with dementia may find it difficult to prepare a meal which he/she once prepared with ease.

ii) Disorientation- Individuals suffering from dementia may find it difficult to locate places and be in a constant state of confusion regarding their location.

iii) Memory Loss- Memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of dementia. An individual with dementia is more likely to forget things frequently without being able to recollect them later.

iv) Poor judgment- The ability to make appropriate decisions is greatly affected by dementia. For example- A dementia-stricken individual may forget how to dress in cold weather or to eat when they're hungry.

v) Poor spatial skills- An individual with dementia may find it difficult to judge the distance or space between objects. They may even find it difficult to follow directions while driving a vehicle.

vi) Loss of interest- Loss of interest is another early sign of dementia. Individuals affected by dementia may lose interest in doing the things that they once enjoyed despite frequent prompting.

viii) Poor language skills- The inability to form simple sentences or even understand others is another sign of dementia. They may even forget words.