Cognitive disorders
Cognitive Disorders
Cognitive disorders (pronounced: kog-ni-tiv dis-or-ders) are a category of mental health disorders that primarily affect learning, memory, perception, and problem solving, and include amnesia, dementia, and delirium.
Etymology
The term "cognitive" comes from the Latin word "cognitio", meaning "knowledge". "Disorder" comes from the Old French "desordre", meaning "lack of order or sequence".
Types of Cognitive Disorders
There are several types of cognitive disorders, including:
- Amnesia: This is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage, disease, or psychological trauma.
- Dementia: This is a broad category of brain diseases that cause a long-term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember.
- Delirium: This is a serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of the environment.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cognitive disorders can vary greatly depending on the specific type of disorder, but may include confusion, memory loss, difficulty understanding language, and trouble with problem-solving or decision-making.
Causes
Cognitive disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, mental health disorders, substance abuse, and certain medical conditions.
Treatment
Treatment for cognitive disorders often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. The specific treatment plan will depend on the type of cognitive disorder and the individual's specific symptoms and needs.
Related Terms
- Neurodegenerative diseases: These are diseases characterized by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.
- Mental health disorders: These are disorders that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.