Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia is a cognitive disorder that causes impairments in memory, social abilities, and thinking. It can negatively interfere with everyday tasks and often gets progressively worse over time. Treatment at Open Mind Psychiatry minimizes or reduces symptoms of dementia.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Common signs and symptoms of dementia include:

• Memory loss
• Problems finding words and communicating
• Getting lost while driving in familiar areas
• Difficulty with spatial and visual abilities
• Reduced ability to problem-solve
• Poor organization and planning skills
• Difficulty handling complex tasks
• Disorientation or confusion
• Social withdrawal
• Problems with motor functions and coordination
• Personality changes
• Anxiety, agitation, paranoia, or depression
• Inappropriate behavior

Complications that can occur because of dementia include subpar nutrition, illnesses, poor personal hygiene, and safety challenges.

What are the risk factors for dementia?

Dementia can happen to anyone, but some factors increase your risk of having it. Examples include:

• Older age
• Family history of dementia
• Down syndrome
• Poor diet and exercise habits
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies 
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Excessive alcohol use
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Air pollution
• Sleeping disturbances
• Head trauma
• Some medications (like sedatives)

Ways to reduce your risk of developing dementia include staying physically active, keeping your mind active with reading or other activities, and being socially active. Eat healthy foods, take multivitamin supplements, don’t smoke, lose weight if you’re overweight, and don’t drink excessive amounts of alcohol. 

Get plenty of sleep and manage high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic conditions.

How does my doctor diagnose dementia?

Your Open Mind Psychiatry provider can diagnose dementia (or its underlying cause) by asking you or a loved one a series of questions, reviewing your medical history and symptoms, and completing a physical exam. 

They complete cognitive, neuropsychological, and neurological evaluations, and sometimes brain scans (e.g., PET scans, CT scans, or MRIs), as well as blood tests, spinal fluid tests, and psychiatric evaluations.

Common causes or types of dementia your provider may diagnose include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease dementia, traumatic brain injuries, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, mixed dementia, or others.

What are the treatments for dementia?

Your provider may recommend multiple treatments for dementia to reduce symptoms and the risk of disease progression. Examples include:

Lifestyle changes

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as nutritious eating, regular exercise, and getting plenty of sleep, can minimize dementia symptoms. Set a regular routine, participate in brain-enhancing and social activities, and take a multivitamin supplement if your doctor recommends it.

Medications

Taking prescription medications can delay the progression of dementia or reduce its symptoms.

Therapies

Some types of therapies can reduce dementia and delay its progression. Examples include occupational therapy, reducing noise and clutter, and simplifying tasks.

Chronic disease management

If you have a chronic disease, your primary care doctor helps you manage it to reduce the risk of cognitive problems.

Counseling

If you experience depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder because of having dementia, the Open Mind Psychiatry team offers psychotherapy to help you better cope with your condition. 

Your specialist follows up with you or a loved one periodically to ensure your treatment works as designed. They can make changes to your regimen as needed.

If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of dementia, visit Open Mind Psychiatry for an evaluation as soon as possible. Call the office or request an appointment online today.