Memory loss, thinking and everyday functioning are impacted by dementia, so many ask, is dementia a psychiatric disorder? The answer is, “No,” dementia is not a psychiatric disorder, it is a neurological disorder and a disorder that involves damage to the cells in the brain. However, there are also emotional and behavioural changes that can occur as a result of dementia and which may require the assistance of a psychiatrist, or a team of psychiatrists. This is significant to the family to help them understand the two types of services and supports to seek and when to seek them.
Key Takeaways
- Dementia is not considered a psychiatric disorder.
- It is a brain disorder that impacts on memory, thinking and behavior.
- Anxiety, depression, hallucinations or mood change can also occur as a result of dementia.
- If emotional and/or behavioral symptoms are present, they could benefit from the help of a psychiatrist.
- Early diagnosis results in better quality of life and planning for future care of the family.
- Orlando Premier Psychiatry offers complete psychiatry in Orlando to help individuals with mental health symptoms who also have neurological issues.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a category of conditions which impact memory, language, thinking, problem-solving and ability to carry out day-to-day activities. It’s not a single disease, but a group of symptoms resulting from changes in the brain.
There are several types of dementia, most of which are:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia
Although it is not a psychiatric disorder, it is caused over time from damage to the brain cells. This is a harm to the areas in the brain that are responsible for communication among themselves.
Although the majority of cases of dementia are associated with old age, it is not a normal part of growing old.
Is Dementia a Psychiatric Disorder?
Because dementia can alter the emotions, personality and behavior of the individual, many wonder whether it is a psychiatric condition.
The answer is no.
Dementia is not a psychiatric disorder, but a neurocognitive disorder. It is due to physical changes in the brain that occur as a result of diseases, decreased blood flow, injury or other neurological diseases.
But the person with dementia often experiences mental health issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
A psychiatrist may be able to help with the evaluation of these symptoms where they are interfering with functioning or causing distress to family members. A thorough psychiatric assessment may be helpful to find out if symptoms are a result of dementia, another psychiatric illness, side effects of medication, or a mix of factors.
A thorough psychiatric assessment may be helpful to find out if symptoms are a result of dementia, another psychiatric illness, side effects of medication, or a mix of factors.
Dementia vs. Psychiatric Disorders: Understanding the Difference
Although dementia and a psychiatric disorder can sometimes look similar, they have different causes.
Dementia | Psychiatric Disorder |
Caused by damage to brain cells | Caused by changes in mood, thinking, emotions, or behavior |
Memory loss is a key symptom | Memory usually remains intact early on |
Progressive condition | Often manageable with therapy and medication |
Usually affects older adults | Can occur at any age |
Diagnosed through neurological and cognitive testing | Diagnosed through psychiatric evaluation |
For example:
Someone with depression may appear forgetful because they struggle to concentrate. In contrast, someone with dementia has actual damage affecting memory and cognitive function.
This is why accurate assessment is essential.
What Causes Dementia?
Dementia occurs when brain cells are damaged or die.
Common causes include:
Alzheimer’s Disease
The most common type of dementia, characterised by abnormal protein accumulated in the brain.
Vascular Disease
When blood supply to the brain is interrupted as in stroke or chronic vascular disease, brain tissue is damaged.
Lewy Body Disease
Protein deposits impact on the way one moves, thinks and feels.
Frontotemporal Degeneration
Damage is seen in areas related to personality, language and decision-making.
Brain Injuries
Chronic traumatic brain injury (cTBI) can contribute to the risk of developing dementia in adulthood.
Other Medical Conditions
A few health issues can cause dementia symptoms such as:
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Thyroid disorders
- Brain infections
- Medication side effects
These causes can be reversible and early evaluation is therefore important.
Symptoms of Dementia
The symptoms are dependent upon the type of dementia and what stage it is in.
Early signs are:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty finding words
- Forgetting appointments
- Misplacing belongings
- Poor judgment
- Difficulty planning tasks
- Lost in the familiar surroundings
- Personality changes
- Confusion about time
- Trouble following conversations
Symptoms may become more apparent as dementia worsens.
Later symptoms may include:
- Struggling to identify family members.
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Wandering
- Sleep disruption
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Aggressive behavior
Many of these emotional symptoms can be found in a psychiatric disorder, making it important to get professional evaluation.
How Is Dementia Diagnosed?
There is no one diagnostic test for dementia.
Rather, health care providers perform multiple evaluations to arrive at a correct diagnosis.
These may include:
- Medical history
- Family history
- Physical examination
- Neurological examination
- Cognitive screening tests
- Imaging of the brain (MRI or computed tomography [CT] scan)
- Blood tests
- Mental health evaluation
In cases where emotional or behavioral problems are present, a psychiatrist is usually involved in the care, with neurologists and primary care providers.
Our psychiatrists at Orlando Premier Psychiatry thoroughly assess symptoms of mood, anxiety and sleep disturbances that can occur with cognitive impairment.
Can Dementia Cause Psychiatric Symptoms?
Yes.
Dementia is not a psychiatric disorder, but often does result in psychiatric symptoms.
These include:
Depression
After noticing memory loss, many people feel sad, hopeless or lose interest in life.
Anxiety
When uncertainty and confusion arise, it can add to feelings of anxiety.
Hallucinations
In Lewy body dementia, seeing/hearing things that are not there is a common problem.
Delusions
Some people fall into false beliefs, for example, believing that the family members are taking their money.
Agitation
As dementia worsens, restlessness and frustration increase.
Coordinated care from a psychiatrist, primary physician, caregivers and family members may be necessary to manage these symptoms.
How Psychiatry Can Help
Although dementia is not a mental health disorder, mental health is important.
A psychiatrist can assist in the following ways:
- Evaluating mood changes
- Taking care of depression and anxiety.
- Reviewing medications
- Addressing sleep concerns
- Supporting caregivers
- Supporting the quality of life in general
Orlando Premier Psychiatry offers compassionate evaluations that are personalized to each person’s needs, whether they’re looking for psychiatry near me, psychiatry Orlando, psychiatry Orlando FL, or psychiatry in Orlando.
Families seeking psychiatrists in Orlando, psychiatrists Orlando FL or psychiatrist Orlando can also experience customized psychiatric assessments and psychiatric medication administration in the event it is applicable.
Mental health care extends beyond the ages; our practice likewise provides specialized services for younger people, such as child psychiatry, child psychiatatry near me, child psychiatry Orlando, and child psychiatry Orlando FL.
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Need Expert Psychiatric Support?
Changes in memory, depression, anxiety and behavioral issues should be addressed by a professional.
Our highly trained psychiatric providers at Orlando Premier Psychiatry deliver thorough psychiatric evaluations, medication management and customized mental health services for both adults and teens and families.
Please make your appointment today and access psychiatric services that are compassionate and evidence-based and cater to your individual needs.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
If you (or someone you love) experiences:
- Ongoing memory loss
- Dropping tasks that are easily accomplished.Failure to finish tasks that are easily done.
- Personality changes
- Increased confusion
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sudden behavioral changes
- Safety concerns
- Difficulty keeping track of medicines or money
Early assessment allows for the identification of the symptoms’ cause and additional avenues for care planning.
Discussing issues that impact daily living with a psychiatrist or primary healthcare provider is an important first step to noticing changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is dementia considered a psychiatric disorder?
No. Dementia is a neurocognitive disorder, not a psychiatric disorder. But it often leads to emotional changes that include depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and other symptoms of emotional dysfunction which can be addressed by psychiatric assessment and continuous mental health care.
2. What is the difference between dementia and a mental illness?
Dementia is caused by changes in the brain which impair memory and thinking. The basis of mental illnesses is dysfunction of feelings, mood or behavior rather than progressive loss of brain cells.
3. Can dementia cause psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety or depression?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, hallucinations, agitation, sleep disturbances and changes in personality are common occurrences among people who have dementia. A psychiatrist may be helpful in assessing and treating these symptoms in conjunction with the individual’s other care providers.
4. What are the earliest signs of dementia?
The early signs and symptoms are likely to be: Forgetting appointments, becoming confused with familiar tasks, poor judgment, mood or personality changes, and memory loss, which will slowly worsen over time.
5. How is dementia diagnosed?
Diagnosing dementia involves taking a medical history, conducting cognitive testing, neurological exams and brain imaging, and a series of blood tests and mental health evaluations to determine the cause of the dementia and rule out other conditions.
6. Is Alzheimer’s disease the same as dementia?
No. Dementia is not a single condition, but refers to a range of symptoms that indicate cognitive decline. There are several diseases that can cause dementia – the most common is Alzheimer’s.
7. Can dementia be treated or reversed?
While most dementias can’t be cured, there are some conditions that can be treated that cause cognitive changes. When diagnosed early, healthcare professionals can control the symptoms, and in some cases, slow the progression and allow a person to live a better life.
Conclusion
So, is dementia a psychiatric disorder? No. Dementia is a neurological condition classified as a neurocognitive disorder, not a psychiatric disorder. However, because dementia frequently causes depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and other behavioral symptoms, psychiatric care can play a valuable role in improving quality of life.
If you or someone you love is experiencing memory loss, mood changes, or emotional symptoms, the experienced team at Orlando Premier Psychiatry is here to help. Our compassionate providers offer comprehensive evaluations, medication management, and personalized mental health support to help you navigate cognitive and emotional challenges with confidence.
Disclaimer
This is an educational article only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and should not substitute for medical advice. Seek a complete assessment from a healthcare provider or psychiatrist if you or a family member has memory loss, confusion or changes in thinking.
References
- National Institute on Aging. What Is Dementia? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/dementia
- Alzheimer’s Association. What Is Dementia? https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov
- American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org
- World Health Organization. Dementia Fact Sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
