Punding
Punding (pronounced: /ˈpʌndɪŋ/) is a term used in the medical field to describe a complex and stereotyped behavior characterized by an intense fascination with repetitive handling and examining of objects. The term is derived from the Swedish word "pundig," which means blockhead or fool, and was first used in the 1960s to describe the behavior of amphetamine addicts in Sweden.
Definition
Punding is a type of compulsive behavior that is often associated with dopaminergic drug use, such as levodopa, and is commonly seen in patients with Parkinson's disease. It is characterized by an intense fascination with repetitive handling, examining, or collecting of objects. The behavior is often pointless and without a clear goal, and can last for several hours at a time.
Symptoms
The main symptom of punding is the compulsive need to handle and examine objects. This can include activities such as sorting, arranging, disassembling, and reassembling objects. The behavior is often pointless and without a clear goal, and can last for several hours at a time. Other symptoms can include restlessness, agitation, and a lack of awareness of the behavior.
Causes
Punding is often associated with the use of dopaminergic drugs, such as levodopa, which are used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is thought that these drugs can cause an overactivity of the dopamine system in the brain, leading to compulsive behaviors. Punding can also be seen in patients with other neurological disorders, such as frontotemporal dementia and Huntington's disease.
Treatment
Treatment for punding often involves reducing the dosage of dopaminergic drugs, or switching to a different type of medication. In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy may also be used to help manage the behavior. It is important for healthcare providers to recognize the signs of punding, as it can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
See also
- Compulsive behavior
- Dopaminergic
- Levodopa
- Parkinson's disease
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Huntington's disease
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Punding
- Wikipedia's article - Punding
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski