14. Neurocognitive (organic) Disorders

Question 1

Types:

Answer 1

Delirium - a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable.

Dementia

Amnestic Disorders

Other Cognitive Disorders

Question 2

The two main groups of psychiatric disorders that have proven to be due to an organic cause.

Answer 2

Dementia and delirium

Question 3

Dementia is a mental disorder that involves multiple cognitive deficits, primarily memory impairment, and at least one of the following cognitive disturbances:

Answer 3

• Aphasia: which is deterioration of language function (Clients may exhibit echolalia (echoing what is heard) or palilalia (repeating words or sounds over and over).
• Apraxia: which is impaired ability to execute motor functions despite intact motor abilities.
• Agnosia, which is inability to recognize or name objects despite intact sensory abilities.
• Disturbance in executive functioning, which is the ability to think abstractly and to plan, initiate, sequence, monitor, and stop complex behavior

Dementia is often chronic and progressive.

Question 4

TRUE / FALSE

Risk for Alzheimer’s disease increases with age, and average duration from onset of symptoms to death is 8 to 10 years.

Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, especially with late onset (after 65 years of age), may have a genetic component.

Answer 4

TRUE