BRAIN

What are the psychotic symptoms of Alzheimer's?

As time passes and old age takes effect, the body undergoes various changes and some deterioration occurs. These changes are part of the natural aging process. But in some cases, older people face neurodegenerative disorders that accelerate these changes while causing the senior to lose his or her full autonomy. This is what happens during Alzheimer's disease. Older people with this disease are prone to impairments and disorders that affect both their behaviour and their cognitive capacity. In this article, we will discuss the psychotic symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Each of the behavioural problems associated with the disease will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Cognitive deficits and behavioural disorders due to Alzheimer's disease 

Before looking at the mental disorders caused by this pathology, it is worthwhile to take stock of the cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's. Its effects on the patient's behaviour will also be discussed in what follows.

Cognitive deficits

Alzheimer's, as a neurodegenerative disease, is caused by the deterioration and disappearance of neurons. This affects certain parts of the brain responsible for controlling memory and language. The main signs characterizing this disease are :

Behavioural disorders

Alzheimer's is also the cause of various behavioural disorders. Generally speaking, people suffering from this disease are opposed to anything that is offered to them. Whether it's for eating, showering, respecting social rules or simply cooperating. Apart from opposition, they also become aggressive, either verbally or physically. The patient may also be subject to wandering, sleep disturbance, wandering and unrestrained and inappropriate behaviour. It should be noted that the patient with Alzheimer's disease experiences both temporal and spatial wandering.

Psychotic disorders related to Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is also responsible for certain psychotic disorders that become increasingly apparent as the disease develops. Although these disorders are psychic in nature, they can affect the patient's behaviour. The most common of these are listed below.

Apathy

This mental disorder is very common in Alzheimer's patients. Apathy is a complete lack of desire to do anything. The patient lacks motivation and this lack has repercussions on his  daily life. He may no longer want to eat or wash. Apathy is often accompanied by depression.

Anxiety

This psychotic disorder is usually present at the onset of illness. At this stage, anxiety is mainly related to the fear of losing one's autonomy and the incurability of Alzheimer's disease. In the advanced stage of the disease, anxiety disorders are related to the fear of being abandoned or being placed in specialized institutions by one's relatives.

Depression

Depression during Alzheimer's disease is also very common. The patient's depressive behaviour is often linked with his or her awareness of loss of autonomy. In the majority of cases, this depressive state manifests itself through apathy, lack of motivation and eating disorders. The patient may even no longer have excellent self-esteem.

The turmoil

When the disease is at an advanced or moderate stage, the patient tends to become restless. Agitation is one of the most common psychotic symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It is sometimes related to the anxiety felt by the patient. Environmental and lifestyle changes can also cause agitation in patients with this neurodegenerative disorder. Depending on the patient, this restlessness may manifest itself either by wandering or by the continual movement of objects. The patient may even run away from home.

Aggression

In Alzheimer's disease, anxiety and depression can lead to aggression. And when the disease is at an advanced stage, disorientation can make the patient aggressive. Most of the time, this aggression is verbal. But when the ill person is no longer able to communicate and articulate their thoughts, they may hit or scratch those around them.

The fact that having delusions of grandeur

Often, when the disorder is well advanced, the patient may become delirious. Her delusions never reflect reality. More often than not, the ill person thinks that their loved ones want to hurt them or that they want to commit them to a specialized institution without their consent. In some cases, the patient may even be subject to hallucinations.

As you will have understood, there are many behavioural and mental disorders in Alzheimer's disease. They simply vary from patient to patient. Also, as the disease progresses, the psychotic symptoms increase.