What do you think dementia is?

1. 56

   baygirl33posted 12 years ago

   What do you think dementia is?
   
   I'm just confused about the function of dementia.I know it's the brain cells dying but the behavior seems so normal one minute,then the next it seems so irratic.To me it appears the normal everyday activities are still there ,but overlayed with a lack of behavior control.

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2. 40

   Borsiaposted 12 years ago

   It is a breakdown of neurotransmitters.
   Think of it as a bunch of frayed wires reaching their end. wires sometimes intermittently break contact and that train of thought is derailed.
   The longer we have known things, memories, the more established the connections to them are. This means that older memories tend to stay while momentary memories are easily lost.
   My mother can tell you all about her childhood and our growing up. But she can't remember what was said 30 seconds ago or what she did an hour ago. She has no idea why she got up or that she was talking on the phone.
   It is very hard to deal with for everyone else.

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3. 58

   athena2011posted 12 years ago

   A gradual breakdown of the normal functioning of the brain. As you describe it, it is not a set pattern of breakdown. By this I mean that some days may seem better than others in terms of mental clarity of the person. You may even think that some days they are showing improvement only to find several days later a significant decrease in function.

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4. 61

   tamlee21posted 12 years ago

   Dementia itself is not a disease, it is a symptom of a disease.  For example, Alzheimer's disease is caused by a buildup of plaque in the brain tissue resulting in tissue damage.  This damage can cause dementia.  An alcoholic with severe withdrawls experiences dementia due to a chemical dependancy.  You can have a disease without dementia, but you can't have dementia without a disease.
   
   As for the behavioral changes, everyone is wired differently.  When the brain is under attack, behavior can not be predicted.  Your description sounds like someone with mild to moderate Alzheimer's.  This stage is the most frustrating for them.  They know they're losing their mind and have difficulty expressing themselves, causing anger.  It's difficult for them to control impulses, so often they lash out.

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