Named for Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first described the disease in 1907, Alzheimer's disease causes gradually increasing dementia, including memory loss, confusion, problems with judgment, planning and concentration, and personality changes; in its later stages it also affects physical abilities. The disease's causes, cures and preventions are unknown. Many prevention methods have been associated with slowing the process from occurring or preventing the disease all together. Just because family members are suffering from the disease, does not mean it will be passed along through the family genes. More research is being done and studies are finding that not all Alzheimer’s cases are genetic, and some can be prevented.
Alzheimer’s disease and Puzzles »
Published in Alzheimer’s Disease |
Martin Kurtev
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of intellectual decline associated with aging. This disorder involves the deterioration of mental functions resulting from changes in brain tissue, such as the shrinkage of certain brain structures. There is no known definitive cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and treatment is mostly aimed at relief of symptoms. The high emotional and medical costs of caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s, along with the prevalence of this disease,make its early detection extremely important. Early detection helps the patient and his/her family adjust to living with the disease and plan for future treatment. Current studies have shown that there are subtle physiological clues that might signal the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease. Olfactory deficits and certain defects in the skin cells of Alzheimer’s patients are considered two of the strongest indicators of the onset of the disease and may prove to be effective diagnostic tools in the near future.
Physiological Markers for Alzheimer’s Disease »
Published in Alzheimer’s Disease |
In the United States, it is common for people who develop hypochondriasis to be troubled by the idea that they have serious illnesses, such as cancer. The koro and dhat syndromes of the Far East share some clinical features with hypochondriasis. Although these syndromes may seem foreign to North American readers, each is connected with the folklore of its own culture.
Koro and Dhat Syndromes: Far Eastern Somatoform Disorders? »
Published in Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders |
Somatization disorder, formerly known as Briquet’s syndrome, is characterized by multiple and recurrent somatic complaints that begin prior to the age of 30 (but usually during the teen years). These complaints persist for at least several years, and result either in the seeking of medical attention or in significant impairment in fulfilling social or occupational roles.
Somatization Disorder »
Published in Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders |
The major feature of somatoform pain disorder is pain associated with psychological factors, such as stressful life events. The psychological factors may contribute to the development, severity, or maintenance of the pain. The pain is severe enough and persistent enough to interfere with the person’s daily functioning. For example, the pain may make it difficult for the person to attend school or go to work. The pain can become the major focus of the person’s life and lead to disruption of normal family life. Pain disorder appears to be relatively common, although precise estimates of its prevalence are lacking (APA, 2000).
Pain Disorder »
Published in Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders |
People with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are preoccupied with an imagined or exaggerated physical defect in their appearance. They may spend hours examining themselves in the mirror and go to extreme measures to correct the perceived defect, even undergoing invasive or unpleasant medical procedures, including unnecessary plastic surgery (Crerand et al., 2005). Others remove all mirrors from their homes so as not to be reminded of the glaring flaw in their appearance. People with BDD may believe that others view them as ugly or deformed and that their unattractive physical appearance leads others to think negatively of them.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder »
Published in Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders |
The core feature of hypochondriasis is a preoccupation or fear that one’s physical symptoms are due to a serious, underlying illness, such as cancer or heart disease. The fear persists despite medical reassurances that it is groundless (see Table 7.6). Hypochondriasis is believed to affect about 1% to 5% of the general population and about 5% of patients seeking medical care (APA, 2000; Barksy & Ahern, 2004).
Hypochondriasis »
Published in Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders, Hypochondriasis |
A woman staggered into the emergency room of a New York City hospital bleeding from the mouth, clutching her stomach and wailing with pain. Even in that setting, forever serving bleeders and clutchers and wailers, there was something about her, some terrible star quality that held cente stage. Her pain was larger than life.
Münchausen Syndrome »
Published in Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders, Münchausen Syndrome |
Conversion disorder is characterized by a major change in or loss of physical functioning, although no medical findings are found to account for the physical symptoms or deficits (see Table 7.5). The symptoms are not intentionally produced. The person is not malingering. The physical symptoms usually come on suddenly in stressful situations. A soldier’s hand may become “paralyzed” during intense combat, for example.
Conversion Disorder »
Published in Conversion Disorder, Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders |
Depersonalization is a temporary loss or change in the usual sense of our own reality. In a state of depersonalization, people feel detached from themselves and their surroundings. They may feel as if they are dreaming or acting like a robot (Guralnik, Schmeidler, & Simeon, 2000; Sierra et al., 2006).
Depersonalization Disorder »
Published in Depersonalization Disorder |
