Organic dementia - changes that occur in the brain tissue, the result of which are violations of its functions. This pathology is also indicated by the word "encephalopathy". The cause of its occurrence may be birth defects, vascular disease, exposure to adverse environmental factors. These include mechanical damage to the head, alcohol, drugs.
Encephalopathy in individuals of childhood
Organic Resin Dementia is a term of Latin origin. A synonym for this concept is the word "dementia." Pathology suggests the presence of damage to the brain tissue. The term "dementia" means "loss of mind." Residual (or residual) it is called because the changes that provoke the ailment are irreversible.
Cases of this pathology among patients aged 65 years and older are well studied. However, doctors today have little information about the prevalence and characteristics of organic dementia in children. The disease remains little known, because its signs intersect with the symptoms of other ailments.
Until recently, doctors believed that pathology can occur only in elderly individuals.
But in the last decades of the twentieth century, it was found in children and puberty. This is due to the early start of alcohol-containing products, drug addiction and smoking. These factors contribute to a significant deterioration in brain activity.
Causes of the disease
Organic dementia in juvenile patients can develop under the influence of several factors. These include the following circumstances:
- Brain infections. Pathology occurs as a result of complications of meningitis, encephalitis.
- Mechanical damage. These include brain injuries, open injuries.
- HIV infection can cause damage to the central nervous system, as a result of which the symptoms of dementia develop.
- Toxic effects of drugs, heavy metals. Organic dementia in individuals of puberty occurs as a result of abuse of alcohol-containing drinks, drugs.
The degree of manifestation of pathology
There are three types of this ailment:
- A mild form of dementia. In babies, it is usually not diagnosed for a long time, the level of development of household skills remains normal. Students have a decrease in the ability to learn and social contacts.
- With a moderate degree of pathology, the child needs care and support from adults.
- In the case of severe dementia, the patient experiences difficulties with speech, is not able to serve himself, he needs to be constantly watched.
In addition to this classification (according to the severity of symptoms), there is another, based on the causes of the onset of the disease. Specialists distinguish between dementia in organic mental disorders caused by impaired brain functions and pathology associated with disorders of the work of other organs that affect the state of the central nervous system.
Characteristic signs
This disease is manifested by abnormalities of the psyche and the cognitive sphere. A child experiences a deterioration in intellectual and practical skills. There is a degradation of emotional manifestations, changes in behavior.
If organic dementia develops at school age, the patient's speech remains complete and well-formed. The child does not lose previously acquired knowledge and skills, but his thinking is specific, and his ability to adapt is greatly reduced. An individual cannot explain the figurative meaning of sayings, does not understand jokes. There are difficulties with remembering information, attention is unstable. Emotions are poor, monotonous interests, mood often changes.
Organic Dementia in Preschool
In babies, the symptoms of dementia are characterized by excitability. The mood of the child is extremely unstable. Joy is quickly replaced by anger, anger by tears. The patient does not feel affection for relatives, he does not have a reaction to approval or comments. There is a predominance of elementary needs. Such children are voracious, they have an early sexual arousal. The instinct of self-preservation is poorly developed. The patient does not feel fear of unfamiliar individuals, animals, fire, height. Outwardly, such a child looks untidy. He has reduced ability to learn new skills. Anomalies of intelligence are manifested in game activity.
The patient runs aimlessly, lies on the floor, throws things around. Such a child refuses to accept and master the role models characteristic of the team of his peers.
Detection of pathology and methods of therapy
Organic dementia is characterized by a distortion of the individual's developmental process, but not a complete halt. Fortunately, the pathology is treatable. Therapy of this ailment is a long process in which the specialists and parents of the patient should be involved. First of all, if dementia was caused by another disorder, you should first eliminate the symptoms of this disease. The diagnosis of “organic dementia” should be made after consulting several doctors (psychiatrist, neurologist) and conducting brain examinations. Therapy of this pathology includes:
- The use of medications that help improve metabolism in nerve cells, blood flow in tissues. Such drugs include nootropics, psychostimulants.
- Classes with specialists in the field of psychology. They are aimed at improving the ability to think.
In the case of correctly selected therapy and the fulfillment of all the doctor’s prescriptions, a good prognosis is usually observed in patients. Such children go to a regular school, study normally.