Psychology

Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a very serious disorder that adversely affects the daily life of a person through loss of memory and cognitive changes (Jalbert, Daiello, and Lapane, p. 15). As per the DSM IV-TR criteria (2000), disorders of dementia are characterized by numerous cognitive as well as memory insufficiencies (Weyandt, p.79). They are however categorized as different disorders according to their causes. Prevalence of dementia varies widely depending on the subjects sampled, type of dementia, seriousness of the disorder, and the areas studied. On the other hand, according to the DSM IV-TR, approximately 3 of the whole population suffers from serious cognitive disorders (Weyandt p, 81). Almost half of the dementia cases in clinical and hospitals studies are of Alzheimers type. Population based studies reveal that most of dementia cases are of Alzheimers type. Dementia of Alzheimers Type, according to Welsh-Bohmer and White, develops from Alzheimers disease (p, 10). These disorders involve gradual alterations in memory, thinking and language. Chemical imbalance in conjunction with structural changes in the brain leads to slow destruction of the ability to develop, learn, recall, reason and interact with others. Excessive death of critical brain cells, as illustrated by Schwartz, leads to deterioration of personality and failure of the whole body system (p, 71). These problems may start as minor problems later becoming grave conditions requiring serious medical and family assistance.

Dementia of Alzheimers Type
Dementia of Alzheimers Type is exemplified by numerous cognitive deficits manifested by both memory disorders and cognitive disturbances that result in significant deterioration in social and occupational functioning. These disorders, which have progressive onset and continuing decline, do not occur as a result of substance induced or medical conditions. They usually occur after a person has attained the age of 65 years. Age is therefore a predisposing factor to this disorder. Rates of prevalence of the disorder increase considerably with increase in age. According to the DSM IV-TR (2000), Dementia of Alzheimers Type is more common in females than in males (Weyandt, p. 82). Dementia of Alzheimers type is characterized by excessive loss of cognitive capability. This comprises of disrupted thoughts, recollection, way of thinking, language, as well as cognitive speed.

This disorder is degenerative in nature it is characterized by deterioration of cognitive functions with time either gradually or more rapidly depending on the etiology of dementia and the individual (Schwartz p, 75). The early stage of dementia is referred to as mild cognitive impairment. This stage involves mild problems of memory, language and other cognitive abilities. At this stage, a person is still able to carry out various cognitive functions. Most people with mild cognitive disorders in the long run develop Alzheimers disease (Weyandt p, 85). However, some people with mild cognitive impairment eventually attain normal health. Head trauma, leading to brain damage, and stroke are believed to be causes of this disorder. Genetic factors increase the risk of developing dementia. Diagnosis of dementia, as asserted by Tonarelli, includes clinical examination and presence of insufficiency in at least two areas of cognition (para, 2).

The following are the symptoms of Dementia of Alzheimers Type as illustrated in the DSM IV-TR 2000 development of numerous cognitive insufficiencies manifested by memory impairment and cognitive disturbance. In memory impairment, a person cannot recollect previously learned information or learn new information. Various cognitive disturbances include aphasia also referred to as language disturbance, apraxia or the inability to carry out motor activities properly in spite of an undamaged motor function and Agnosia. Agnosia is the inability to recognize objects although the sensory function may still be intact. The last cognitive disturbance is the disturbance in executive functioning (Weyandt p, 84). Other symptoms of dementia include changes of personality, intellectual impairment, inability to carry out normal chores leading to neglect of personal hygiene, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, inappropriate habits, disorientation to time and place, and problems in maintaining balance and gait (Jalbert, Daiello and Lapane p, 18). These effects are not as a result of old age and they may be serious enough to affect the daily life of a person, interactions and autonomy. The effects of dementia, as per Brian, come from a wide range more than the recorded neuropathological alterations in the brain of an individual thus diagnosed (p, 155). These effects can be made worse to some extent by the way an individual is treated by others in the day to day activities of the social world. Through critical evaluation of the position an individual suffering from dementia is put by others in the process of interaction, it can be appreciated that these interactions have profoundly negative or positive effects on the subjective experience of the individual with dementia the extent to which an individuals can reveal the remaining intact cognitive capabilities the aptitude of an individual to carry out various day to day activities and the value of an individuals social life as well as the meaning found in everyday (Weyandt p, 85). Welsh-Bohmer and White agrees that social interaction of a person suffering from dementia becomes limited to the examining health professionals (p, 12). People suffering from dementia appear too ill to be taken out to attend functions away from home.

Jalbert, Daiello and Lapane note that the effects of dementia can have a deteriorating effect on very many aspects of a persons life (p, 20). It is therefore beneficial, as noted by Brian, to know the signs as well as symptoms that may occur in case the brain function is affected (p, 122). After developing dementia, a person finds it very hard to complete tasks that were previously easy for himher. Short term memory of a person is greatly affected (Schwartz p, 22). Such a person therefore keeps on repeating one thing for a long time. A person suffering from dementia easily forgets that heshe had asked a certain question, for example, and keeps on asking the same question time and again. In case there is no information in the short term memory, information in the long term memory is then lost forever. A person also becomes lost in time and space. Personality and mood of a person are seriously affected. Such a person easily forgets simple information and it becomes difficult for him or her to learn new information. People suffering from dementia also do not have motivation.

Conclusion
Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a very serious disorder that adversely affects the daily life of a person through loss of memory and cognitive changes. Dementia of Alzheimers Type develops from Alzheimers disease. This disorder is degenerative in nature it is characterized by deterioration of cognitive functions with time either gradually or more rapidly depending on the etiology of dementia and the individual. Age and genetic factors are the main predisposing factors of Dementia of Alzheimers Type. Diagnosis of dementia includes clinical examination and presence of insufficiency in at least two areas of cognition. Various symptoms of Dementia of Alzheimers Type include changes of personality, intellectual impairment, inability to carry out normal chores leading to neglect of personal hygiene, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, inappropriate habits, disorientation to time and place.