This learner chose Chapter 5 on Mental Health to blog about
this week. This chapter was extremely interesting
in the section pertaining to Organic Mental Disorders. According to the textbook, Aging, the
Individual, and Society, “organic disorders arise from a physical origin that impairs
mental functioning and 11 percent of older adults are believed to have mild
disorders of this type” (NIMH, 2009; Visavada, Masand, & Nasra, 1997). It goes on to state 6% of over 65 years of
age Americans have intellectual impairment stemming from physical causes. The population of elders over the age of 80
increases to 20 percent of having an impairment with estimates going as high as
50 percent in this age group (Hillier
& Barrow, 2011). It was especially
interesting to learning the difference between an acute brain disorder and a
chronic disorder. A person suffering
from an acute brain disorder is only short term and is reversible. Things such as an infection, heart condition,
drug reaction, malnutrition or liver condition can trigger an acute
disorder. This can occur when anything
that interferes with the nourishment of the brain, the supply of oxygen or food
by the blood stream. This learner has
learned this is very common of happening when a person contracts a urinary
tract infection. This condition can only progress to being chronic if it goes
untreated. A chronic organic disorder has no known cure and is due to a
physical cause to a brain disorder. The
two exhibitions of organic brain disorders are dementia and delirium. Delirium is defined as being the lack of
awareness about oneself and their surroundings which may include hallucinations,
delusions or disorientation. Dementia is caused by the degeneration of brain
cells and can be the result from many conditions, such as, long term alcohol
abuse. The largest contributor for
dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
Hillier, S., &
Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28).
California: WADSWORTH..
It is amazing how the body changes and works as it ages in general. The simple fact that impairments and disorders can affect each person differently is frightening, because that makes it difficult for anyone to know what to expect as they age. Acute brain disorders as you discuss, I think are perhaps the most interesting. It is comforting to know that these specific disorders are short term and reversible, but as comforting as it is, the idea that factors such as heart condition and drug reaction can trigger them is equally disturbing. This all ties back into the idea that our body and its' systems are so inter-linked, it is important to know and understand how each can affect the other as we age. Aging is definitely something we all must face, and after reading your review of this chapter, it only re-enforces the importance of being aware of the dangers and factors that affect aging now at a younger age when we are capable in a sense of controlling our destiny.
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