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0 / 31 Fotos
Defining anosognosia
- According to clinical care tool StatPearls, anosognosia is defined as "a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition."
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
What it looks like
- A person suffering from anosognosia is unable to recognize and acknowledge their own health issues. It can sometimes seem like they are being stubborn or in denial, when actually there is a processing problem at play.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Underlying conditions
- Anosognosia can arise as result of several conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, aneurysm, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Anosognosia Alzheimer's
- While it is common in people with a variety of mental diseases, it is most commonly seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Indeed, you might have heard people referring to "anosognosia Alzheimer’s."
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Alzheimer's symptom
- It is important to note, however, that anosognosia Alzheimer’s is not a separate condition. Rather, anosognosia is a symptom that can present in cases of Alzheimer’s.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Causes of anosognosia
- Experts are not certain about what causes anosognosia, but they believe that it is caused by damage to the area of the brain that is responsible for self-reflection.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Updating our self-image
- Whenever we receive new information about ourselves, for example after getting a new haircut, the frontal lobe of our brains processes that information in order to update our self-image.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Damage to frontal lobe
- This process of updating our self-image is complex and ongoing, and when the frontal lobe is damaged it no longer works properly.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Updating process disrupted
- This means that a person with anosognosia cannot update their self-image in order to incorporate the illness with which they have been diagnosed.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Not 'all or nothing'
- This condition is not always all or nothing. Indeed, some people only partially lose the ability to see themselves clearly, while in other patients it comes and goes.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Diagnosing anosognosia
- As previously mentioned, the majority of clinicians do not believe anosognosia is a condition in itself. This means that people suffering from it do not receive a diagnosis, per se.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Interviewing the patient
- However, if a doctor suspects that their patient may have anosognosia, they may investigate by way of interviewing the patient and asking them questions about their cognitive function.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Interviewing the patient's family
- The doctor then asks the same question of the patient’s family members, in order to be able to compare the responses.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Drawing conclusions
- Discrepancies between the patient’s and family members’ interview responses, in conjunction with the results from cognitive testing, may lead a doctor to conclude the patient is suffering from anosognosia.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Diagnosing Alzheimer's
- When it comes to diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, doctors may also use interviews and cognitive testing.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Lab tests
- However, in the case of Alzheimer’s, they also use laboratory tests to rule out other diseases and measure the degenerative proteins in the brain.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Preventing anosognosia
- Since anosognosia is directly linked with cognitive decline, any lifestyle habits that help protect the brain will help stave off anosognosia.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Preventing anosognosia
- In other words, the same techniques used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease will also help prevent anosognosia.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Get regular exercise
- When it comes to protecting brain health, one of the most important things we can do is make sure to get regular physical exercise.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Get regular exercise
- Moving our bodies not only promotes physical health, but also helps protect the memory and thinking centers of the brain.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Eat right
- Diet also plays a key role, and there is evidence to suggest that a Mediterranean-style diet is best for the brain, since it helps reduce brain inflammation and oxidative stress.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Socialize
- Finally, it is also important to have sufficient social interactions. These help stimulate neural activity and delay the onset and progression of symptoms.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Treatment
- Anosognosia itself has no cure, so the best way to treat it is to treat the underlying disease itself. In the case of Alzheimer’s, direct therapies currently do not exist.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Take medications
- This means that the best option for Alzheimer’s patients is to continue taking their prescribed medications. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to refuse their medication when suffering from anosognosia.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Brain training
- In theory, engaging in brain training, such as puzzles or matching games, should help correct and improve some of the faulty circuits in the brain.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Futile exercise at best
- However, trying to convince someone to do brain training when they don’t think there is anything wrong with them is a futile exercise at best.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
General consensus
- Indeed, the vast majority of clinicians agree that trying to convince someone they are suffering from anosognosia is not an effective form of treatment.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
The best advice
- Instead, the advice for people taking care of anosognosia sufferers is to try and connect with what they are feeling and avoid trying to convince them of your perspective.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Simplify the routine
- It can also be a good idea to simplify their routine and keep them safe by ensuring they don’t attempt tasks outside of their current ability level, such as driving or managing finances.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Main takeaway
- Anosognosia can be very challenging for the people taking care of its sufferers. Perhaps the most important takeaway is to remember that an anosognosia patient does not choose to deny their symptoms. Sources: (U.S. News & World Report) (WebMD)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
Defining anosognosia
- According to clinical care tool StatPearls, anosognosia is defined as "a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition."
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
What it looks like
- A person suffering from anosognosia is unable to recognize and acknowledge their own health issues. It can sometimes seem like they are being stubborn or in denial, when actually there is a processing problem at play.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Underlying conditions
- Anosognosia can arise as result of several conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, aneurysm, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Anosognosia Alzheimer's
- While it is common in people with a variety of mental diseases, it is most commonly seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Indeed, you might have heard people referring to "anosognosia Alzheimer’s."
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Alzheimer's symptom
- It is important to note, however, that anosognosia Alzheimer’s is not a separate condition. Rather, anosognosia is a symptom that can present in cases of Alzheimer’s.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Causes of anosognosia
- Experts are not certain about what causes anosognosia, but they believe that it is caused by damage to the area of the brain that is responsible for self-reflection.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Updating our self-image
- Whenever we receive new information about ourselves, for example after getting a new haircut, the frontal lobe of our brains processes that information in order to update our self-image.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Damage to frontal lobe
- This process of updating our self-image is complex and ongoing, and when the frontal lobe is damaged it no longer works properly.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Updating process disrupted
- This means that a person with anosognosia cannot update their self-image in order to incorporate the illness with which they have been diagnosed.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Not 'all or nothing'
- This condition is not always all or nothing. Indeed, some people only partially lose the ability to see themselves clearly, while in other patients it comes and goes.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Diagnosing anosognosia
- As previously mentioned, the majority of clinicians do not believe anosognosia is a condition in itself. This means that people suffering from it do not receive a diagnosis, per se.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Interviewing the patient
- However, if a doctor suspects that their patient may have anosognosia, they may investigate by way of interviewing the patient and asking them questions about their cognitive function.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Interviewing the patient's family
- The doctor then asks the same question of the patient’s family members, in order to be able to compare the responses.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Drawing conclusions
- Discrepancies between the patient’s and family members’ interview responses, in conjunction with the results from cognitive testing, may lead a doctor to conclude the patient is suffering from anosognosia.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Diagnosing Alzheimer's
- When it comes to diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, doctors may also use interviews and cognitive testing.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Lab tests
- However, in the case of Alzheimer’s, they also use laboratory tests to rule out other diseases and measure the degenerative proteins in the brain.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Preventing anosognosia
- Since anosognosia is directly linked with cognitive decline, any lifestyle habits that help protect the brain will help stave off anosognosia.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Preventing anosognosia
- In other words, the same techniques used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease will also help prevent anosognosia.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Get regular exercise
- When it comes to protecting brain health, one of the most important things we can do is make sure to get regular physical exercise.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Get regular exercise
- Moving our bodies not only promotes physical health, but also helps protect the memory and thinking centers of the brain.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Eat right
- Diet also plays a key role, and there is evidence to suggest that a Mediterranean-style diet is best for the brain, since it helps reduce brain inflammation and oxidative stress.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Socialize
- Finally, it is also important to have sufficient social interactions. These help stimulate neural activity and delay the onset and progression of symptoms.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Treatment
- Anosognosia itself has no cure, so the best way to treat it is to treat the underlying disease itself. In the case of Alzheimer’s, direct therapies currently do not exist.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Take medications
- This means that the best option for Alzheimer’s patients is to continue taking their prescribed medications. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to refuse their medication when suffering from anosognosia.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Brain training
- In theory, engaging in brain training, such as puzzles or matching games, should help correct and improve some of the faulty circuits in the brain.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Futile exercise at best
- However, trying to convince someone to do brain training when they don’t think there is anything wrong with them is a futile exercise at best.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
General consensus
- Indeed, the vast majority of clinicians agree that trying to convince someone they are suffering from anosognosia is not an effective form of treatment.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
The best advice
- Instead, the advice for people taking care of anosognosia sufferers is to try and connect with what they are feeling and avoid trying to convince them of your perspective.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Simplify the routine
- It can also be a good idea to simplify their routine and keep them safe by ensuring they don’t attempt tasks outside of their current ability level, such as driving or managing finances.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Main takeaway
- Anosognosia can be very challenging for the people taking care of its sufferers. Perhaps the most important takeaway is to remember that an anosognosia patient does not choose to deny their symptoms. Sources: (U.S. News & World Report) (WebMD)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
Anosognosia vs. Alzheimer’s: what's the difference?
One is a symptom of the other
© Getty Images
If you've ever been close to a sick person who denies that anything is wrong, you'll know how frustrating it can be. Taking care of someone who does not want to help themselves is very challenging, and their denial can even feel insulting at times. In certain cases, however, the sick person may not be denying the existence of their illness on purpose. Instead, they may be suffering from anosognosia, a neurological condition that leaves a person unable to recognize or acknowledge their psychiatric condition.
Anosognosia is often mentioned in the same breath as Alzheimer's, but they are not one and the same. Curious? Check out this gallery to learn more.
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