Some people have a problem with thinking and processing information. Once it starts aggravating, then it impacts their life to a great extent. Today, we’ll discuss what is cognitive disorder; its symptoms, causes, types, and treatment.
What is Cognitive Disorder?
According to the DSM-5 (diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders), cognitive disorder falls under the category of neurocognitive disorder. It is a type of disorder that damages the cognitive function of the person’s brain up to the point where it becomes impossible for a person to function normally in society without treatment.
Often cognitive disorders start slowly and keep on progressing and reach the point where it interferes with and impacts the person’s quality of life. Some of the main types of cognitive disorders are as follows;
- Substance-Induced Cognitive Impairment
- Amnesia
- Motor Skill Disorder
- Developmental Disorder
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a very common type of cognitive disorder and it impacts roundabout 5.1 million US people annually.
Symptoms of Cognitive Disorder
The symptoms of cognitive disorders could overlap with other types of disorders. Some of the main signs of the cognitive disorder are as follows;
- Impaired judgment
- Identity confusion
- Losing short term and long term memory
- Poor motor coordination
- Confusion
There are various stages of the symptoms of CD depending on the severity and the condition of the disease. For instance, Alzheimer’s patients start showing small signs of forgetfulness, and they reach the point where they don’t even remember the names of their close relatives or what they did recently. Initially, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and ordinary forgetfulness are indistinguishable. As the disease aggravates, it persistently impacts the person’s memory completely. Finally, it comes to the point where few moments of clarity are left, and the person lives in a state of confusion.
Emotional Symptoms
Some of the main emotional symptoms of cognitive problems are as follows;
- Emotional imbalance
- Frustration
- Emotionally outburst reaction
- Isolating yourself and pushing people away
- The opposite effect that makes a person have dulled or nonexistent emotions
Physical Symptoms
Some of the main physical and visible symptoms of cognitive problems are as follows;
- Confused and dazed appearance
- Eyes have a glazed appearance
- Psychological and neurological disorders impacting the motor coordination
- Unusual mannerism
- Lack of balance in the person’s normal posture
Short/Long Term Effects of Cognitive Instability
Some of the main short term effects of cognitive instability are as follows;
- Lack of coordination
- State of confusion
- Memory loss
Some of the long term effects of cognitive instability are as follows;
- Losing declarative memory
- Forgetting names and significant face
- Limited emotional stability and one’s actions
Causes of Cognitive Disorder
Various factors could cause the cognitive disorder like genetic predisposition, imbalance in the womb, and other environmental factors. Some of the main environmental factors that could cause cognitive disorder are;
- Limited proper nutrition
- Interaction during the vulnerable phase of cognitive development, especially during the infancy stage
- Physical injury
- Substance abuse
- Damaged cognitive area of the brain by the excessive consumption of drugs, alcohol, etc
- Physical trauma
- Changes in the neurological system could cause cognitive dysfunction
Treatment of Cognitive Disorder
Medication
When it comes to treating cognition issues, various medicines are available. An important to keep in mind is that you can’t cure the cognitive disorder permanently, but treating those symptoms that make your life difficult would help you to improve your quality of life.
Supplements and drugs help the patients to decrease memory loss and improve cognitive function. They also help you to deal with anxiety and depression those result from cognition impairment issues.
Antidepressant is a common drug that doctors recommend for cognitive disorders because it helps patients to slowdown and prevents the decay of memory. Drugs make it possible for you to amplify the patient’s awareness level. You have to go through a medical assessment if you want to check the effectiveness of the drug.
Side Effects of Medication
All drugs come with some form of side effects, and the medicines for the cognitive disorder are no exception. Some of the main side effects of the cognitive medicines are as follows;
- Upset stomach
- Insomnia
- Drowsiness
If you want to know the side effects of using a particular drug, then you should work closely with your doctor.
Risks
Cognition dysfunction could make a person feel hopeless, and the person would turn into substance abuse, alcohol, drugs, and illegal narcotics to gain control over one’s life. Stimulating drugs are for those people that are dealing with cognition impairment issues in order to sharpen their mental processes.
Conclusion: What is Cognitive Disorder? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
After an in-depth study of what is cognitive disorder; its symptoms, causes, types, and treatment; we have realized that cognition dysfunction could badly impact your life. If you’re observing its symptoms in someone you know, then you should consult with the doctor.
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