As a caregiver, you are likely to encounter challenges dealing with memory or mental health disorders at some point in your caregiving journey, in addition to providing physical care. One in five people in the United States experience mental illness.
Memory and mental illness conditions impact the way people think, behave, and interact with others and encompass numerous disorders varying in severity and frequency of episodes. Many people who suffer from them may not look ill or as if anything is wrong, while others appear confused, agitated, or withdrawn. Learn more about how to help your family member or others with memory or mental illness disorders.
How you cope with sundowning behavior and the way you prevent them from happening is much the same. As with all medical or mental health conditions, what works for one family may differ for another based on your lifestyle. UCLA Health Caregiver Training Video Look for Patterns Look for patterns of […]
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Sundowning Sundowning Confusion Starts in Early Afternoon Sundowning comes by its name because it’s a behavior seen in many dementia patients around the time the sun goes down each day in the late afternoon or evening hours. In most cases, symptoms are less pronounced earlier in the day. As the day progresses toward
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. The exact causes are unknown but research shows influencing factors to include genetic conditions, as well as, environmental, chemical, and other factors. Wide Spectrum of Abilities and Limitations Individuals with autism look like
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Conduct Disorders As you might guess, “Conduct Disorders” are mental health conditions related to problem behaviors. There are three primary groups. Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorders Schizophrenia Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders including attention deficit disorders Two out of the three groups begin in childhood. The third appears in either child or adulthood. Group One
Mood Related Disorders As the name suggests, people with Mood-Related Disorders have difficulty with emotions. The most common conditions known are Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Depression describes a broad range of conditions where the individual has negative, heavy feelings of loss and sadness, anxiety, emptiness, low self-esteem, and a bleak outlook on life. In contrast,
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Eating Disorders Can Be Fatal Though more common among women, eating disorders affect both sexes, often affecting multiple people in the same family. Therefore, research believes there may be a genetic component associated with it. Those who suffer from eating disorders have distorted body images leading to an obsession with weight loss. The methods used
Anxiety Disorders You hear people saying that they have anxiety or that they are nervous. Does that mean they have an anxiety disorder? No way! The type of anxiety people who have anxiety disorders live with every day takes over their lives. It’s disabling. No matter where you go or what you do, there is
Dementia Dementia is the broad term used to describe all the diseases and conditions associated with memory disorders. It may affect any age group but is more common in the elderly, which is where it is often mistaken for senility. In addition, trauma, stroke, and medical conditions like infection or drug reactions, can lead to
Understanding Mental Health Disorders Mental Health Disorders Rising Each year: One in 24 people lives with a serious mental illness. In addition, we know of one in 12 people who admit to a diagnosis of a substance abuse disorder; however, many more may exist. Currently, Alzheimer’s Dementia affects one in 10 people. According to
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