Old Age Mental Disorder

Dementia is a progressive syndrome which leads to a deterioration of thinking, memory and behaviour, including the ability to perform routine activities. The WHO rightly points out that this is not necessarily a normal part of ageing, rather it is more likely to occur in the elderly. The prevalence rates are 50 million people worldwide and the projection is that the incidence will increase to 82 million by 2030 and 152 million in 2050.

Some of the causes of dementia have been identified as:

1. 1. Alzheimer’s: the most common cause of dementia is a progressive brain disease that leads to various cognitive impairments that worsen over time.

   2. Chronic high blood pressure, blood vessel disease or stroke.

   3. Parkinson’s disease, in severe and advanced stages.

   4. Huntington’s disease: a genetic disorder signalled by mental dysfunction, altered personality, psychosis, and movement disturbance.

   5. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a viral infection that leads to rapid and progressive dementia.

1. It is important not to confuse dementia with other potential medical conditions such as side effects or reactions to certain medications, the fallout of poor eating habits, the lack of oxygen resulting from a lung disease or lack of blood flow to the brain resulting from heart failure.
   
   Also, the symptoms of diseases related to the adrenal, thyroid, pituitary or other glands may also mimic the symptoms of dementia since these regulate memory, perception, emotions and thought processes. Understanding the underlying condition is essential in getting the right treatment; assessment by a medical professional plays a crucial role in this and should not be ignored.