Anosognosia corresponds to loss of consciousness and denial about the disease itself and its limitations. Typically anosognosia is a symptom or a consequence of neurological diseases, and may be common in early stages or more severe stages of Alzheimer's, schizophrenia or dementia, for example, being more frequent in the elderly.
There is no specific treatment for anosognosia, but treatment for the cause of this condition is usually effective in reducing this symptom. However, what makes treatment difficult is the person's own denial of the condition, who refuses any help.
It is important to stimulate that person's cognitive ability through puzzles, crosswords or word searches, for example, in addition to stimulating contact with other people, as in group therapy, as it can help them to know their own limitations, for example.
Signs of anosognosia
Anosognosia can be perceived by changing the person's sudden behavior, such as the appearance of behaviors with the objective of attracting attention, for example. Other signs that can help both the doctor and the family to identify anosognosia are:
- Always use the same clothes without being aware of it; Decreased hygiene habits; Changes in mood due to having your condition confronted by other people; Lack of awareness about your disease.
In addition, the person may think that he can move his arm normally, for example, when he really cannot, or think that he answered all questions correctly in a test, when in fact he failed, and not realize the error. These signs must be observed by the family and communicated to the geriatrician so that the cause can be identified and treatment started.
Main causes
Anosognosia is usually a symptom or a consequence of neurological conditions such as:
- Stroke: It is the interruption of blood flow to some region of the brain, causing paralysis of a part of the body, difficulty in speaking and dizziness. Learn how to identify and treat stroke. Schizophrenia: It is a psychiatric disease characterized by changes in the functioning of the mind leading to disturbances in thinking and behavior. Understand more about schizophrenia. Dementia: Corresponds to the progressive and irreversible loss of intellectual functions, which can result in loss of memory, reasoning and language, for example. See what are the symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer: It is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive changes in memory. Learn how to identify and what Alzheimer's signs and symptoms. Hemiplegia: It is a type of cerebral palsy that affects one side of the body. Know what is cerebral hemiplegia and its characteristics. Bipolar disorder: Corresponds to the alternation of mood that can last for days, months or years. See what are the symptoms, stages and types of bipolar disorder.
The diagnosis is made by the neurologist or geriatrician based on family reports and observation of the person's behavior, taking into account some factors such as language, memory, personality changes and the ability to perform a certain task.
How the treatment is done
Because they are not aware of their condition, the person with anosognosia usually does not accept psychological treatment or medication, since he considers that everything is fine with his health status.
There is no specific treatment for anosognosia, but treatment for the cause, and, in most cases, it is sufficient to eliminate this symptom. The best way found by doctors to reduce these symptoms is through neurological stimulation through the performance of cognitive stimulus activities, such as word search, jigsaw or crosswords, for example, in addition to physical exercise, psychotherapy and therapy in group.
In addition, the person with anosognosia must be monitored periodically by the geriatrician or neurologist, so that the progress of the symptom and its general condition is noted.
